Lindholm played without restrictions. He manned the power play, killed penalties and skated 22 shifts over 19:03. After the Bruins ’ win on Tuesday, Lindholm said he thought the injury that had sidelined him for eight of Boston’s first 11 games was behind him.

Marat Khusnutdinov scored 2:07 into overtime and the Boston Bruins beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-3. Alex Tuch’s goal with 5:35 left in regulation tied it, wiping out Buffalo’s two-goal deficit in the third period.

Marat Khustnutdinov, who took a few shifts at top-line center after Elias Lindholm left the game, scored his first goal in overtime.

The Bruins are expected to get a big boost on defense for Tuesday night's head-to-head with the Islanders at TD Garden.

Lindholm was placed on IR on Oct. 26 after he suffered an injury on Oct. 9. Bruins coach Marco Sturm classified the injury as minor and not related to the broken kneecap the defenseman suffered last year that kept him sidelined for most of 2024-25.

The Boston Bruins needed defense to be a strength for them this season. With a new coach in Marco Sturm and the returns of Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm, they thought it would be. Instead, it has been their biggest weakness through 11 games.

The Boston Bruins placed Hampus Lindholm on injured reserve, retroactive to October 9, and recalled Jonathan Aspirot.