Injured Bruins defenseman ‘getting close’ to return

BOSTON — The Bruins have been without Hampus Lindholm since he suffered an injury Feb. 19 against the Dallas Stars. But the defenseman soon could be back on the bench.

“Hampus is doing really well,” Boston coach Jim Montgomery said prior to puck drop against the Edmonton Oilers at TD Garden. “I don’t have an official game time (that) he’ll be back. But it’s getting close.”Lindholm has been skating at Warrior Ice Arena before Bruins practice as he continues to make progress from his injury.

During the third period of Boston’s shootout win over the Stars last month, Ty Dellandrea and Lindholm’s knees collided behind the Bruins’ net, leaving Boston’s defenseman to skate awkwardly back to the bench with about 10 minutes left in the game. Lindholm missed Boston’s four-game road trip in which the team went 1-0-3 out west, and have certainly missed his presence, given the fact he was averaging 23:42 of ice time before his injury.

The Bruins recalled Mason Lohrei and he made an instant impact, playing 23:32 and notching three assists in Boston’s 6-5 overtime win against the Edmonton Oilers.

But with Derek Forbort struggling to find a groove since he returned to the lineup, getting Lindholm back will certainly be a welcome addition to the blue line.