In today's matchup with the Canadiens, the Bruins might witness the return of defensemen Brandon Carlo and Derek Forbort, who have been out of action due to injuries. According to Joe Haggerty from the Boston Sports Journal, Carlo, who is currently on the injured reserve, and Forbort, listed on long-term injured reserve, are poised for a comeback after being absent for five and 20 games, respectively.
The Bruins, currently with 22 players on their active roster, must create space for both Carlo and Forbort. This likely involves moving at least one player to the AHL's Providence team to adhere to the NHL's 23-player roster limit.
Carlo has notably excelled this season, establishing an effective defensive duo with Hampus Lindholm and cementing his position as a key top-four shutdown defenseman. Despite initiating 76% of his even-strength shifts in the defensive zone, Carlo has managed to keep a balanced expected plus-minus, showcasing a 2-8–10 stat line over 39 games.
Forbort, aged 31, plays a more confined role, clocking an average of 18:22 minutes on the ice per game. Despite providing four assists in 20 games, his possession stats at even strength have dropped, with a Corsi share of only 43.5% in the 2023-24 season. Noted for his proficiency in penalty killing, Forbort's performance has been somewhat subpar this season. His contract, carrying a cap hit of $3 million, is set to expire after this season.
With the Bruins gearing up for their match, the anticipated return of Carlo and Forbort brings a buzz of excitement and conjecture about the team's defensive strategies. Fans are keenly waiting to see the influence these players will have on the game.
