The Boston Bruins have a difficult task ahead of them in Game 5 against the Carolina Hurricanes. With their first-round NHL Playoffs series even at 2-2, the Bruins will look to steal a game on the road in Raleigh on Tuesday night. Unfortunately, the Bruins have been hit hard by the injury bug, and will be without their top two defenders for Game 5. Both Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm will remain sidelined for Game 5 on Tuesday night but could be back in time for Thursday's Game 6, per WEEI.
Hampus Lindholm, Charlie McAvoy remain out for Game 5 https://t.co/Y3p9bfshJn #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/1nFEGHDERw
— WEEI (@WEEI) May 10, 2022
This is a big blow for the Bruins, especially with the series returning to Raleigh for Game 5. Lindholm suffered an injury earlier in the series as a result of a massive, but clean, hit from Andrei Svechnikov. Lindholm exited Game 2 early after a devastating hit from Svechnikov left him unable to continue. He has not returned to the series since. Lindholm isn't even traveling with the team to North Carolina for Game 5, putting any question about his availability to rest.
McAvoy played in the first three games of the series before testing positive for COVID-19. He was forced to miss Game 4 through the illness and is still not ready to return for Game 5. Both McAvoy and Lindholm are hopeful to play in Game 6.
The two players are the highest-earning players in Boston's defense. McAvoy makes $9.5 million per season, while Lindholm, who was acquired from the Anaheim Ducks at the NHL Trade Deadline, earns $6.5 million annually. The loss of these two key contributors will be a big blow for the Bruins, who will be relying more heavily upon the likes of Brandon Carlo, Matthew Grzelcyk, Connor Clifton, Mike Reilly, and Derek Forbort.
The Bruins were able to pull off a win at home with both McAvoy and Lindholm sidelined, but it'll be more difficult to repeat that feat on the road.
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