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Boston Herald
Boston Herald
12 Apr 2023
Steve Conroy


NextImg:Bruins notebook: Linus Ullmark not traveling to Montreal

A day after leaving the Bruins’ 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals midway through the third period, goalie Linus Ullmark did not practice and was not going to travel with the team to Montreal for the finale of this magical regular season.

But coach Jim Montgomery again expressed optimism that his Vezina Trophy favorite was going to be fine.

“Linus is good today, but we’re going to be precautionary with him and he’s not going to come on the trip,” said Montgomery.

Ullmark left the game shortly after going left-to-right in an attempt to make a post-to-post move to stop a puck and he collided with the right post. He stayed in the game but eventually left, giving way to Jeremy Swayman to finish off the 64th win.

At Wednesday’s practice, Swayman was joined by Providence call-up Brandon Bussi. Montgomery said that he and goalie coach Bob Essensa are still leaning toward playing Swayman in the regular season finale but that the final decision had not been made before the team boarded the team charter. Ullmark was not expected to play in Montreal even before he left Tuesday’s game.

While Swayman also expressed the same confidence that Ullmark would be OK, Swayman said it’s his job to remain prepared. His thoughts when he saw Ullmark coming to the bench on Tuesday?

“I’m always ready to play, no matter what. Whatever it takes. It’s unfortunate but I’m glad we got the win and I always want to be ready no matter what,” said Swayman.

While both Ullmark and Swayman have had terrific seasons, Bussi has proven himself to be a legitimate prospect down in Providence. After getting in five AHL games last year after signing as an undrafted free agent out of Western Michigan, the 24-year-old Bussi has put together an excellent first full pro season in Providence, posting a 21-5-4 record with a .925 save percentage and 2.38 goals against average.

“I think if you told me the path that I went on, I wouldn’t have believed you, but I think just a lot of hard work and the coaching staff and the players we have in Providence have been awesome for me. We have a great team and I think it’s easy to succeed when you’re around those players,” said the 6-foot-4, 213-pound Bussi, who broke down his style.

“I’m just a big goalie and I try to use my size. I think I’m a pretty good skater so I trust myself to hit spots fast and be a little aggressive but also show off a little athleticism if I have to. I try to bring it all.”…

Meanwhile, regarding another key cog in the the B’s playoff hopes, David Krejci did not skate with the team on Wednesday, nor was he seen skating in the usual time slot for rehabbing players before practice. He’s been out of the lineup since he last played in Pittsburgh on April 1 with what’s been described as a lower body soft tissue injury.

But Montgomery continued to express optimism that he’d be available for Game 1 of the playoffs (“He’ll be ready,” declared the coach), which will be either Monday or Tuesday.

“He’s a playoff-only guy. That’s what he told me,” said Montgomery with a laugh.

Nick Foligno, out since suffering a leg injury on February 28, wore a regular practice jersey on Wednesday for the first time since leaving the lineup.

While the B’s have enough depth to give Foligno a little more runway to get back, Montgomery gave the impression that he’ll plug the veteran back in as soon as he’s physically able.

“There is that luxury (of giving him more time), but Nick Foligno is a huge part of our team and a huge part of the bench and leadership,” said Montgomery. “I do think that while he was initially away, we missed him. I think others have stepped up, but you can’t replicate someone who naturally is as unselfish as he is and has the ability to lift others up. He notices when a guy’s down. He’s got a lot of Bergeron in him in that way.”…

One of the bigger issues facing the B’s down the stretch, aside from the ever-lurking specter of injuries, had been the backsliding power play. Whether or not it’s been completely resolved remains to be seen, but it has connected on six of its last 13. But more than the tangible success is the fact that both units have regained their crispness.

“I think they’re playing confidently,” said Montgomery. “The puck is moving quick, bodies are moving and there’s a great convergence at the net. And then you couple that with the fact that I think our breakouts and entries have been really good here lately. That means you’re going to get a lot of zone time if you’re doing those two things. And we always win faceoffs because we have (Patrice) Bergeron…

Tomas Nosek, who had a terrific game on Tuesday with a goal and an assist, did not practice because of illness and it hadn’t been decided on whether he would make the trip to Montreal…

Montgomery wasn’t expecting any more call-ups, so it should be a lineup against the Habs that is heavy on the regulars.