Bruins return Connor Clifton to lineup for game against Blues

Clifton Returns to Backend as Bruins Look to Even Road Trip in St. Louis

The Boston Bruins close out a two-game road trip on Thursday night with an 8 p.m. ET matchup against the St. Louis Blues at Enterprise Center, looking to rebound from a tight 2-1 defeat against the Carolina Hurricanes earlier in the week.

Head coach Marco Sturm expects a physical test on enemy ice. “It’s always for me, maybe because I’ve played a lot of playoff series here, it’s always an interesting building [and team] for me because they can really hurt you. That’s where we just have to be prepared,” Sturm said of the Blues. “Losing our game last game – we’re back on track here, and we want to finish the road trip here .500. That means we need a good effort and a big two points tonight.”

Connor Clifton Returns to the Defensive Lineup

Looking to spark the roster, the coaching staff is inserting defenseman Connor Clifton back onto the backend in place of rookie Frederic Brunet. Clifton has been out of the game-day lineup since Oct. 10, when he logged minutes in a 5-1 home victory over the Philadelphia Flyers at TD Garden. Morning line rushes place him on the third pairing alongside Mason Lohrei.

The 31-year-old blueliner logged one point across his first six appearances of the campaign while averaging 20:38 of ice time per contest. “You just want to hold onto that confidence. I was pretty happy with the six games I played to start the year, so I just want to pick up where I left off,” Clifton said. “Just wait for a chance to get back in. Obviously, the fellas are winning, and we’re up there rooting them on. Ultimately, I knew I was going to get another chance to play. It’s tonight, and I’ve been working and ready to go. Excited.”

“I think that when I am playing my best, I’m not thinking. I’m not holding onto the puck, I’m making that first pass, I’m in the face of the opposition, I’m breaking pucks out, finishing hits, that sort of thing,” Clifton said.

Managing Young Talent Through the Fall Schedule

Brunet steps out of the lineup after compiling four points, including one goal and three assists, through his first 10 appearances of the year. Sturm framed the scratch as a necessary developmental pause for the 23-year-old rookie rather than a permanent demotion.

“I think it’s part of the process, going with young players, especially with [Brunet] – he’s done a really good job. Really good job,” Sturm said. “But we noticed the last two, three games, he kind of got stuck a little bit. We just want to reset him. I think it’s going to be good for him. It’s part of the process, and I believe in that.”

With goaltender Swayman anchoring the crease, Clifton aims to keep things simple on the back end. As puck drop approaches in Missouri, the Bruins carry clear instructions: play steady hockey, protect the goaltender, and secure the two points necessary to salvage an even record on the trip.

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