There was an encouraging sight at Monday's optional Bruins practice at Warrior Ice Arena, and that was Hampus Lindholm skating in a regular practice jersey.
That marks the second straight day Lindholm has been on the ice, as he also skated on his own Sunday morning prior to Game 4 at TD Garden. Lindholm was around the team for both Games 3 and 4, and he also worked out on Saturday.
This was his first time skating with teammates since suffering an upper-body injury when he got hit by Andrei Svechnikov in Game 2, though, so that's certainly an encouraging step. There were a dozen other players on the ice with him at Monday's optional practice, and there weren't really any contact drills.
After practice, coach Bruce Cassidy said that Lindholm has not yet received final clearance to return for Tuesday's Game 5 in Carolina, but that he would play if that clearance comes between now and then.
“He skated today. I’ll get an update on him from the medical team. I’m not gonna rule him out, but I’m not putting him in either right now,” Cassidy said.
“I have to hear from the doctors that he’s cleared. If he’s cleared, he’s in. If he’s not, then we’ll list him as probable for the next game. But the fact that he was out there skating is a positive sign.”
Charlie McAvoy, meanwhile, was not at practice Monday and remains in COVID-19 protocol. Cassidy said he doesn't believe McAvoy will travel for Game 5, which isn't surprising.
McAvoy was placed in protocol shortly before Sunday's Game 4. NHL rules say that players who test positive for COVID must isolate for at least five days from the onset of symptoms or produce two negative test results, the latter of which is unlikely if McAvoy does in fact have COVID.
The five-day isolation period puts Thursday's Game 6 right on the edge of when McAvoy could potentially be cleared, depending on when he actually started to show symptoms.
Cassidy did say that McAvoy was feeling a little better on Sunday when he talked to him.
“He’s in protocol. Obviously a different situation, but same information for me. Doctors will let me know when he’s out of protocol,” Cassidy said. “I’m not sure how he gets out of protocol. I just know they’ll let me know when he’s out. I spoke to him yesterday. He’s feeling better, so that’s a positive. When he’s available, again, I don’t have an answer today.”
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