Kastelic (lower body) won't be in the lineup versus the Jackets on Monday but could be ready for Thursday's game versus Utah, Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald reports.
Kastelic's lower-body injury doesn't appear to be serious if he is only going to miss one full game after leaving Saturday's matchup with the Blues. Through 19 games this season, the 25-year-old center has managed three goals and four helpers without the benefit of power-play ice time. Without Kastelic in the lineup, Boston recalled Jeffrey Viel from AHL Providence and will slot him into a fourth-line role against Columbus.
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Bruins' Jeremy Swayman: Defending crease Monday
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Swayman will protect the home net against Columbus on Monday, per Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald.
During his last outing, Swayman surrendered seven goals on 38 shots in a 7-2 loss to Dallas on Thursday. He has a 5-6-2 record with one shutout, a 3.35 GAA and an .888 save percentage through 13 appearances this campaign. Columbus ranks 16th in the league with 3.12 goals per game in 2024-25.
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Bruins' Andrew Peeke: Returning against Jackets
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Peeke (upper body) will be in the lineup to face Columbus on Monday, Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald reports.
Initial reports suggested Peeke wouldn't be ready to return from his upper-body injury in time for Monday's contest, but it appears he's made good progress. With the 26-year-old blueliner set to play for the first time since Nov. 5 versus the Leafs, he figures to take on a third-pairing role, while Parker Wotherspoon will likely be relegated to a spot in the press box.
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Bruins' Jeffrey Viel: Recalled Monday
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Viel was promoted from AHL Providence on Monday.
Viel's elevation to the NHL roster comes as Mark Kastelic sustained a lower-body injury in Saturday's matchup with the Blues. The 27-year-old Viel is far from a lock to make the lineup versus Columbus on Monday and hasn't exactly been lighting it up in the minors with just four points in 14 contests.
Peeke (upper body) is doubtful for Monday's game against Columbus, per Andrew Fantucchio of Boston Hockey Now.
Peeke participated in Sunday's practice and appears to be nearing a return to action following a five-game absence. He has accounted for two assists, seven shots on net, 21 blocked shots and 18 hits across 13 appearances this season. Once he is healthy, Peeke could replace Parker Wotherspoon in the lineup.
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Bruins' Riley Tufte: Back to AHL
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Tufte was optioned to AHL Providence on Sunday, Andrew Fantucchio of Boston Hockey Now reports.
Tufte joined the Bruins for Saturday's matchup with St. Louis, where he logged 7:46 of ice time in a fourth-line role. The 26-year-old winger will head back to the AHL with Tyler Johnson (personal) rejoining Boston ahead of Monday's game versus the Blue Jackets.
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Bruins' Tyler Johnson: Back at practice
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Johnson (personal) practiced Sunday after being away from the team, Andrew Fantucchio of Boston Hockey Now reports.
Johnson should be available for Monday's matchup versus Columbus after missing the last two games. He hasn't earned a point in four appearances while providing two shots on net, one blocked shot and three hits.
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Bruins' Charlie McAvoy: Generates assist in loss
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McAvoy posted an assist, three hits and two PIM in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Blues.
McAvoy has three points over his last three contests. The 26-year-old has earned all those points against the Blues, but he'll have to find a way to contribute against other opponents since the season series between the two clubs is over. McAvoy is at three goals, four assists, 36 shots on net, 34 hits, 27 blocked shots, 22 PIM and a plus-2 rating through 19 outings this season. He's still playing an integral role on the first pairing, but the Bruins' poor offense (2.47 goals per game) has had a noticeably negative impact on McAvoy's production.
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Bruins' Georgi Merkulov: Gets first NHL point
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Merkulov picked up an assist Saturday in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Blues.
Merkulov got his first NHL point following his recall from AHL Providence on Saturday. The undrafted, 24-year-old winger delivered 30 goals and 35 assists in 67 minor-league outings during the 2023-24 regular season. He has been productive in the AHL again this campaign, contributing two goals and nine assists through 12 appearances. Merkulov is a potential middle-six forward who could offer fantasy value in deep formats if he can stick in the NHL, but don't expect him to replicate his AHL scoring.
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Bruins' Joonas Korpisalo: Strong start wasted
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Korpisalo made 28 saves in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Blues on Saturday.
Boston wasted a strong performance from Korpisalo. He made a 10-bell save late in the first period on a 3-on-1 shot from Brayden Schenn that kept the score 2-1 for the Bruins. His teammates struggled to contain the Blues' third line, as the trio scored two goals and combined for five points in regulation. Korpisalo deserved better but dropped to 3-2-1 in six starts with a 2.74 GAA and .901 save percentage. With this performance, Korpisalo may have earned Monday's start in Columbus.
Frederic scored twice Saturday in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Blues.
He had gone 17 consecutive games without a goal (Oct. 8 in Florida). His first marker Saturday was off a rebound in tight; the second was a tip of a point shot. Frederic has three points (two goals, one assist) in his last two games, and that microburst has doubled his season point total. Much more was expected after he put up 40 points last season, but Frederic has really struggled so far (three goals, three assists; 19 games), much like the rest of his team. Right now, there are a lot better options for your squad.
Kastelic won't return to Saturday's tilt against St. Louis because of a lower-body injury.
Kastelic recorded one hit in 5:18 of ice time before departing the game. He entered Saturday's action with three goals, seven points and 74 hits in 18 appearances in 2024-25. If Kastelic isn't available Monday versus Columbus, then John Beecher will probably draw back into the lineup to serve in a bottom-six capacity.
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Bruins' Joonas Korpisalo: Tending twine Saturday
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Korpisalo will protect the home net Saturday versus the Blues, per Matthew DeFranks of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Korpisalo has won his last two outings, stopping 54 of 57 shots and earning a shutout. He has a 3-2-0 record with a 2.72 GAA and a .900 save percentage through six appearances this season. St. Louis ranks 27th in the league with 2.53 goals per game in 2024-25.
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Bruins' Tyler Johnson: Dealing with personal matter
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Johnson (personal) is away from the Bruins while dealing with a family matter, though he's expected to return to practice Sunday, Andrew Fantucchio of Boston Hockey Now reports.
While Johnson will rejoin the Bruins soon, he won't be available for Saturday's matchup with St. Louis. The veteran forward has appeared in four games for Boston this year, failing to log a point while averaging 13:17 of ice time.
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Bruins' Riley Tufte: Back in NHL
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Tufte was recalled from AHL Providence on Saturday, per Mark Divver of the New England Hockey Journal.
Tufte started the season with Boston and played twice in their first eight games before going on waivers Oct. 25. He was sent to the AHL after clearing waivers, where he had three goals and an assist in six games before his recall. Look for Tufte to be the extra forward Saturday in St. Louis.
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Bruins' Hampus Lindholm: Placed on injured reserve
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Lindholm (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Mark Divver of the New England Hockey Journal reports.
Lindholm is week-to-week after being injured against St. Louis on Tuesday. He has picked up three goals, four assists and 17 blocked shots through 17 contests this season. With Lindholm and Andrew Peeke (upper body) unavailable, Jordan Oesterle made his Boston debut in Thursday's game against Dallas.
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Bruins' Patrick Brown: Demoted to AHL
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The Bruins sent Brown to AHL Providence on Saturday, according to Mark Divver of the New England Hockey Journal.
Brown was a minus-1 in 12:42 of action Thursday in a 7-2 loss to Dallas. The 32-year-old had three goals and four assists in 12 appearances with Providence before his recall. The Bruins recalled Georgi Merkulov from the AHL in a corresponding move.
