Boston will be without top centers Elias Lindholm and Pavel Zacha for Sunday’s Stadium Series in Tampa, weakening the Bruins’ center depth and power play. Betting implication: expect Tampa to be favored and consider the under on total goals or fewer Bruins power-play points; sportsbooks may lengthen Boston’s puck-line or push power-play props lower.
Bruins Short Two Top Centers Ahead of Stadium Series at Raymond James
The Bruins will be without Elias Lindholm and Pavel Zacha for Sunday’s outdoor game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Both players are listed day-to-day after separate upper-body injuries sustained earlier in the week, leaving Boston’s center depth in doubt for the high-profile matchup in the NHL.
Injury Status and Season Production
Zacha has been an all-situation contributor, totaling 15 goals and 22 assists (37 points) in 54 games, including a goal on Thursday.
Lindholm has 11 goals and 26 assists (37 points) in 43 games this season and has been a key ingredient on Boston’s power play.
Neither player’s availability for the upcoming Olympics in Italy is clear.
Immediate Schedule and Roster Notes
After Sunday’s Stadium Series game, the Bruins have one more regular-season game on Wednesday at Florida before the Olympic break.
Boston already recalled Matt Poitras when Lindholm initially went down and did not announce any further moves on Friday.
The club could shift Marat Khustnudinov to center as it did earlier in the season; Mark Kastelic, Casey Mittelstadt and Morgan Geekie also have prior experience at the position and could draw increased minutes.
Lineup and Tactical Impact
Losing both top centers threatens the Bruins’ faceoff stability and secondary scoring balance. Expect coach-driven minutes redistribution and possible reliance on wingers moving to support the middle. Special teams are the biggest concern: Lindholm’s power-play work and Zacha’s all-situation minutes will be difficult to replace intact.
Betting Implications
With Boston potentially light down the middle and weakened on the power play, markets may shift.
Key angles for bettors:
- Totals: the under becomes more attractive if both teams are expected to score less from Boston’s top-unit drop-off.
- Moneyline/puck line: Tampa could shorten as favorites; consider taking Tampa or avoiding large Bruins puck-line exposure.
- Props: lower expectations for Bruins power-play points and for individual scoring lines for Lindholm/Zacha replacements. Monitor injury reports up to game time for line movement.
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Masslive
