Hampus Lindholm returned to on-ice activities Sunday morning, skating prior to the Bruins full-team practice at Warrior Ice Arena.
The defenseman suffered a lower-body injury in the first period of Thursday’s home-opener win over the Blackhawks. According to coach Marco Sturm, the injury is separate from the fractured kneecap and subsequent complications that limited Lindholm to 17 games last season.
The Bruins play Monday afternoon at home against the Lightning, then leave for a weeklong, three-game trip to Las Vegas, Denver, and Salt Lake City. Lindholm’s status for that itinerary is unclear.
“He’s still day to day,” said Sturm. “I still have to follow up, but he was on the ice today before we went on.”
Jordan Harris moved into Lindholm’s spot seamlessly for Saturday’s win over the Sabres. He skated with Andrew Peeke again Sunday morning, and it seems likely the Haverhill native will be back in the lineup against Tampa Bay.
Also wearing a defenseman’s black sweater at the session was Jeffrey Viel. The forward looked comfortable as he ran through some practice drills, though that’s a far cry from game action.
“We already had him out there a couple times during camp as a D. He was unbelievable,” said Sturm, before pausing for a hearty laugh. “Today we just needed an extra body, and I was talking to him … he does whatever it takes.”
Viel and Johnny Beecher have been healthy scratches for the first three games.
“Those guys, yes, it is hard for them not playing, but the guys are playing so well right now,” said Sturm. “They’ve just got to make sure they’re ready to go when it’s their time.”
Monday’s game is the first matinee of the season. Count Sturm as a huge fan of day work.
“I love ‘em. I always loved ‘em as a player. I love ‘em as a coach. No, we don’t have to practice in the morning, we just come in [and] play the game,” said Sturm. “Usually it’s a packed house, especially here in Boston. I was always so jealous when I moved away from here because Boston always got the afternoon games. I was always so jealous.”
The Bruins have 15 games scheduled to start at 5 p.m. or earlier.
Sturm said he is looking forward to some off-ice bonding time with his players during the upcoming trip. “Yeah, we actually, we put some thought into it because this is our only time. We don’t have anything in October, I think. November, not really,” said Sturm. “So, actually that’s why we are leaving early. Part of leaving [Monday] after our game is this is our only time to really connect, and I think it’s just going to help us.” … Sturm said he hasn’t decided who will be in net against the Lightning … Mikey Eyssimont, who scored 17 goals and 37 points in 157 regular-season games from 2022-25 with the Lightning, led the post-practice stretch … The Bruins enter Monday as one of five remaining undefeated teams with the Hurricanes, Stars, Panthers, and Kraken.
Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com. Follow him @globejimmcbride.
