McLaughlin has been one of Providence's (AHL) best players early on this season with 10 points in 15 games played and has earned himself his first call up to Boston this year. The 25-year-old undrafted forward has previously appeared in 14 NHL games and has picked up four goals and no assists during that span.
After a short three-game showing which saw him grab one assist and average 13:44 TOI, Georgii Merkulov has been reassinged to Providence (AHL) in exchange for Marc McLaughlin. Georgii returns to Providence where he excelled early in the season prior to his call-up, with two goals and 11 points in 12 games played.
In their first game in the post-Jim Montgomery era, Bruins' head coach Joe Sacco will turn to Korpisalo between the pipes. The 30-year-old Korpisalo has been serviceable, improving as the season goes on, posting a stellar .926 SV% in his last five outings (2-1-1). The Bruins enter the action on Thursday as -150 home favorites against the Utah Hockey Club, outscored 10-4 during a two-game losing skid.
Viel played in Boston's last game, his season debut, tallying seven penalty minutes and three hits in 8:29 time-on-ice. The 27-year-old Viel has four points (2G / 2A) in 14 games with the Providence Bruins (AHL) this season.
Wotherspoon will be the odd-man out on Monday as the Bruins are opting to go back to dressing just six defencemen. Tyler Johnson will draw into the lineup after missing the last two games due to personal reasons.
Johnson will re-enter the Bruins lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jackets after missing the last two games due to personal reasons. Parker Wotherspoon will sit in his place as the Bruins opt for a more traditional lineup of 12 forwards and six defencemen.
Kastelic exited Saturday's game due to a lower-body injury and will not play on Monday. The 25-year-old Kastelic has been a force this season, averaging 11:57 time-on-ice, tallying a massive 75 hits, 24 penalty minutes, and seven points (3G / 4A) in 19 games.
Koepke will be a healthy scratch on Monday, likely allowing Jeffrey Viel to make his season debut with the Bruins. The 26-year-old Koepke has played 19 games this season, averaging 11:10 time-on-ice, scoring eight points (4G / 4A).
Peeke has not played since November 5th due to an upper-body injury but will draw back into the lineup on Monday against the Boston Bruins. The 26-year-old Peeke has two points (0G / 2A) in 13 games this season.
Swayman allowed seven goals on 38 shots (.816 SV%) in his previous outing, resulting in Joonas Korpisalo starting the following game. That said, Swayman will return to the crease on Monday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 25-year-old Swayman has struggled this season, failing to live up to the massive eight-year contract he signed before the start of the season, posting an ugly 3.35 GAA and .888 SV% in 13 games (5-6-2). The Bruins enter the action on Monday as -198 home favorites against a Blue Jackets squad that has lost seven of their previous eight games (1-6-1).
Viel is an undrafted forward with 49 games of NHL experience but none since the 2022-23 season when he played four games with the San Jose Sharks. The 27-year-old Viel has four points (2G / 2A) in 14 games with the Providence Bruins (AHL) this season.
Lindholm is expected to miss multiple weeks with a lower-body injury that he suffered on Tuesday, so moving him to IR opens up a roster spot for the Bruins to recall some forward help.
