BOSTON — It may be cruel to note that Elias Lindholm is now without a five-on-five point in his last 13 games. The first-year Boston Bruin scored a short-handed goal and assisted on a power-play strike in the Bruins’ 6-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday. It was Lindholm’s fifth multi-point game with the Bruins.

Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo will both be back on the Bruins blue line leaving Hampus Lindholm as the only defenseman missing. Mark Kastelic remains out of the lineup, but there was good news on him as well as he was back at morning skate on Thursday.

Mason Lohrei's has seen extended icetime this year. The ups and downs have been predictable, but he hopes they will be beneficial in the long run.

The Bruins are set to receive a lift in the coming days, as Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy were regular participants in practice Monday.

The Bruins have not had Lindholm and McAvoy anchoring their D corps together since the former suffered a lower-body injury on Nov. 12 against the Blues.

Lindholm remains on long-term injured reserve and will miss his 35th straight game against Buffalo on Tuesday. However, he is progressing toward a return. Lindholm has three goals, seven points, 35 shots on net and 17 blocked shots across 17 appearances this season.

The Bruins expected far more when they signed Lindholm to a seven-year, $54.25 million contract on July 1. But this looks like his level.

Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm both returned to Bruins’ practice on Monday. Neither will play on Tuesday at Buffalo, but their return signals a significant step in their efforts to return to the lineup.

For this matchup against the Sabres, the Bruins' forward group will be getting a boost. This is because forward Cole Koepke will be back in the lineup after missing each of the Bruins' last five games.

According to interim coach Joe Sacco, the physical forward is out with an illness. Frederic’s absence leaves the Bruins without one of their most physical players. He has seven goals and seven assists in 47 games. The Bruins are now missing, Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm, Cole Koepke and Frederic.

Bruins defenseman Michael Callahan more than held his own in his second career NHL game, helping Boston beat the Senators.

Lindholm has been a 22-point flop. He is signed for six more seasons with no-move protection through 2029. Lindholm, 30, is practically untradeable, even if the Bruins eat part of his remaining salary.