BRIGHTON, Mass. — In 2021-22, when Elias Lindholm was rocking and rolling with the Calgary Flames, he did not need much time to set up Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk. Lindholm’s rapid puck play — off his stick an instant after it was on — optimized his linemates for time-and-space scoring chances well before the opposition could put its defensive game plan into place. Lindholm’s touch as a facilitator gave him a career-high 82 points in 82 games.
This season, through 19 games, Lindholm has nine points.
“I just have to be more involved,” said the first-year Bruin. “For 60 minutes, I’m not doing too much out there. Just skating up and down the ice. Got to be more involved and want the puck more.”
Lindholm has three five-on-five points. Twelve of his teammates have more. He is averaging a career-low 3.44 shots per 60 minutes of five-on-five play, per Natural Stat Trick.
Lindholm didn’t just go scoreless in his last two games, including Saturday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues. He didn’t put a single puck on goal.
The Bruins signed Lindholm to a seven-year, $54.25 million contract on July 1 to be their No. 1 center. That plan has gone sideways. Lindholm and David Pastrnak had so little chemistry that coach Jim Montgomery has dropped his fourth-highest-paid player to the No. 2 line.
Things have gone a little better for Lindholm with Brad Marchand and Justin Brazeau. In their 44:16 of shared five-on-five time, the Bruins have outscored opponents 3-0.
But Marchand had no shots against the Blues either. Brazeau had two. Nobody on the second line scored.
“It’s hard for them when your center that’s supposed to drive a line is not playing good enough,” Lindholm said. “As long as I’m not getting better, it’s kind of hard for them.”
This is not out of character for Lindholm. On Jan. 31, the Flames traded Lindholm to the Vancouver Canucks for Andrei Kuzmenko, Hunter Brzustewicz, Joni Jurmo, a 2024 first-round pick and a 2024 conditional fourth-rounder. In 26 regular-season games for the Canucks, Lindholm scored 12 times. His 0.46 points-per-game output in Vancouver is practically the same as his 0.47 line following his arrival in Boston. The Canucks were not interested in re-signing the center despite ceding a generous package to the Flames.
Lindholm, it seems, does not acclimate quickly to new surroundings.
“I think it’s just a comfort level for him,” Montgomery said of what Lindholm needs to activate to reach his threshold. “On the ice, his routine, who he’s playing with, how we play. There’s also the off-ice stuff. When you’ve been in a place … was he in Calgary for six years? That’s a long time. You switch teams. A whole new city. Whole new vibe. So it takes a lot sometimes.”
Not only that, Lindholm and wife Annica had Luka, their second child, in September. Lindholm was injured during training camp at the time.
“Obviously life-changing when stuff like that happens,” Lindholm said. “It’s part of it. We’re fortunate enough to have help. My parents have been here. We like it that way. Definitely a different stage in life for sure.”
For now, the Bruins have no choice but to be patient with Lindholm. He means too much to every part of their game. Lindholm is supposed to be a two-way five-on-five presence. He is in the bumper on the No. 1 power-play unit. He’s averaging 1:52 of short-handed ice time per game, fourth-most among team forwards.
Those three areas, of course, are dragging the Bruins down. They have 31 five-on-five goals, No. 24 in the league. Their power play (11.3 percent) is dead last. The penalty kill (75 percent) is No. 26. Lindholm’s ghostliness is part of the problem.
Offensively, Lindholm is not a puck-lugger like Charlie Coyle. When he’s sharp, Lindholm slings quick passes to his teammates.
That requires having the puck in the first place. It has not been on Lindholm’s stick enough.
“When you’re feeling good about your game and you have confidence, you’re obviously around the puck more and you’re in the right spots,” Lindholm said. “As players, when you don’t have the confidence and things are not going your way, you’re kind of hiding a little bit and not (wanting) the puck. That’s kind of what’s been happening.”
Notes:
Joonas Korpisalo was the first goalie off the ice on Sunday, indicating he will start against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday. Columbus drafted Korpisalo in the third round in 2012. The ex-Blue Jacket stopped 28 shots against the Blues. It would be the first time Korpisalo starts consecutive games for the Bruins. … Hampus Lindholm hobbled through the Warrior Ice Arena dressing room with a brace on his left leg. Lindholm, injured after blocking a shot against the Blues on Nov. 12, is out for weeks. The defenseman will not require surgery. … The Bruins assigned Riley Tufte to Providence on Sunday, one day after the fourth-liner was on for two goals. … Andrew Peeke, out for the last five games because of an upper-body injury, practiced for the first time since he was hurt on Nov. 5. The ex-Blue Jacket is doubtful to play against his former team.
(Photo: Jerome Miron / Imagn Images)
