Sturm likes the speed the line can flash and his message to Minten, who has played with myriad wingers this season, was to keep on plugging.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a tricky one. He\u2019s a young kid. As I told him today, nothing really changes. So hopefully not going to change just because David is on his side,\u201d said Sturm. \u201cEnd of the day, I just want him to play the same way he\u2019s been playing all year long. He\u2019s been outstanding, couldn\u2019t ask for anything more. And yeah, no, we just want to push that line, too, and David to play good both with the puck and without the puck.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Coach](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/JXCRS7V7YBPUKGHYH4GOPVKXOI.jpg\")
Coach Marco Sturm is hoping Elias Lindholm (right) can spark the revamped first line, and Pavel Zacha can do likewise on the second.JOHN WOODS\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
The new look \u201ctop\u201d line had Elias Lindholm in the middle and Morgan Geekie swapping from left wing to right wing and Alex Steeves taking the left side.<\/p>\n
Line changes don\u2019t always sit well with players, but Lindholm was on board.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think, obviously, we need to score more goals and spread it out a little bit, obviously [that] can help,\u201d said Lindholm. \u201cSo yeah, we tried these combinations before, so it worked. Hopefully just a little wake-up call for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steeves has proven to be a player that can plug and thrive in multiple spots. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t expect Stevie to be a No. 1 and the savior, too. I want him to be himself,\u201d said Sturm. \u201cEveryone works on this team, but I want him to finish his shifts, outwork his opponent, and help Lindholm and Morgan to get pucks back. That\u2019s what I\u2019m asking for. I\u2019m not asking for goals or anything like that. I\u2019m asking for a solid effort the way he can play. And that goes for everyone [up and] down the line up, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Bruins\u2019 second line (Pavel Zacha centering Casey Mittelstadt on the left and Viktor Arvidsson on the right) and fourth line (Sean Kuraly between Mikey Eyssimont on the left and Mark Kastelic on the right) remained intact.<\/p>\n
![\"Bruins](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ZW5QXIKDOB4UYBX52DTLQUJZII.jpg\")
Bruins defenseman Jonathan Aspirot missed seven games with an upper-body injury.Adam Hunger\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
Jonathan Aspirot returned to the lineup after the defenseman missed seven games with an upper-body injury.<\/p>\n
Aspirot, who skated with Hampus Lindholm, was playing a solid and steady game when he was hurt in Winnipeg. The Bruins went 1-5-1 in his absence.<\/p>\n
He is well versed in the area having played the last two seasons with the Calgary Wranglers. He collected 11 goals and 62 points in 113 games with the Flames\u2019 AHL affiliate.<\/p>\n
Aspirot\u2019s night ended on a down note. He was whistled for a high stick at the end of regulation, setting the stage for Connor Zary\u2019s power-play winner. <\/p>\n
Checking in with former Bruins<\/p>\n
From the ex-files: Linus Ullmark, who won a Vezina Trophy as the league\u2019s top goalie, has taken a leave of absence<\/a> from the Senators for personal reasons.<\/p>\n Ottawa general manager Steve Staios did not explain why Ullmark was leaving but said he had the \u201cfull support of our organization during this time.\u201d <\/p>\n Ullmark, 32, has 14 wins and a 2.95 goals against average this season.<\/p>\n Jake DeBrusk was benched for Monday night\u2019s game against the Kraken as Canucks coach Adam Foote was looking for a re-set from the speedy winger. He has 9 goals and 17 points in 37 games.<\/p>\n \u201cIt sucks. It\u2019s embarrassing,\u201d DeBrusk told reporters. <\/p>\n Justin Brazeau scored his first career hat trick Sunday night in Pittsburgh\u2019s romp over the Blackhawks. Brazeau has 11 goals and 18 points in 23 games.<\/p>\n Johnny Beecher, who didn\u2019t register a shot in 9:06 on ice Monday, has just a pair of assists in the 16 games he\u2019s played with the Flames since being claimed on waivers. <\/p>\n Tanner Jeannot, who suffered an undisclosed injury in Boston\u2019s loss to the Canadiens a week ago, did not skate but did some off-ice work . . . This five-game road trip continues New Year\u2019s Eve in Edmonton followed by stops in Vancouver (Saturday) and Seattle (Tuesday) . . . Former Flames forward Guy Chouinard, who collected 529 points in Atlanta and Calgary, including the first goal for the franchise when it relocated to Calgary, passed away Sunday. He was 69.<\/p>\n Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com<\/a>. Follow him @globejimmcbride<\/a>.<\/p>\n