Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm both returned to Bruins’ practice on Monday. Neither will play on Tuesday at Buffalo, but their return signals a significant step in their efforts to return to the lineup.

Boston Bruins forward Charlie Coyle sent interim coach Joe Sacco a strong message about one of the youngest promises on the roster, who plays alongside him and Brad Marchand.

After losing a pair of one-goal leads early, Coyle's handiwork delivered a needed victory and, at least temporarily, push Boston back into a playoff position.

The Boston Bruins got back on track Monday afternoon at TD Garden, scoring four goals in the third period to secure a 6-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks.

The Bruins have not had Lindholm and McAvoy anchoring their D corps together since the former suffered a lower-body injury on Nov. 12 against the Blues.

The Bruins defenseman has been working his way back from a lower-body injury suffered Nov. 12 in St. Louis with lots of off-ice rehab sessions and, lately, some solo on-ice workouts with skills coach John McLean.

Boston Bruins center Charlie Coyle (13) celebrates with defenseman Nikita Zadorov (91) after scoring in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) AP

Coyle scores twice in the third period and Boston continues its dominance of San Jose. BOSTON — Charlie Coyle scored ... and Brad Marchand and Elias Lindholm added empty netters.

The lead lasted all of 55 seconds. The B’s top line got hemmed in its own end for much of the shift and, after it finally pushed it out of the zone, the players got caught in a change. On a Sabre 4-on-3, Matt Poitras got lost out high and Dylan Cozens connected with the wide-open trailer Thompson, who ripped a slapper past Swayman.

Tage Thompson and JJ Peterka had hat tricks, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 26 saves as Buffalo rolled to a 7-2 win over Boston.

For this matchup against the Sabres, the Bruins' forward group will be getting a boost. This is because forward Cole Koepke will be back in the lineup after missing each of the Bruins' last five games.

With the trade speculation intensifying after the blockbuster Mikko Rantanen deal, here are some thoughts on some possible Bruin trade chips.