The Bruins expected far more when they signed Lindholm to a seven-year, $54.25 million contract on July 1. But this looks like his level.

The Bruins boast a minus-20 goal differential — the second-worst rate in the Eastern Conference. Boston ranks 26th in the NHL in goals scored per game (2.77), and 23rd in goals against per game (3.17).

Vinny Lettieri and Oliver Wahlstrom were center Elias Lindholm’s linemates as the Boston Bruins defeated the San Jose Sharks 6-3 at TD Garden.

The Boston Bruins will be playing the New Jersey Devils tonight at the Prudential Center. This is an important contest for the Original Six club, as a win would allow them to pass the Tampa Bay Lightning,

Dawson Mercer scored bookend goals in New Jersey's four-goal second period, propelling the Devils to a 5-1 victory over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday in Newark, N.J. Mercer, 23, recorded his first multigoal game this season, scoring a game-tying goal 1:24 into the frame and the second of New Jersey's two goals in a late 12-second span.

While the Boston Bruins have not had anywhere near a picture-perfect season thus far, they are right in the mix as we head into the back half of January.

Lindholm earned his first multi-point effort since Dec. 17. The 30-year-old center is warming up again with four points over his last four outings. He's up to eight goals, 24 points, 77 shots on net, 82 hits, 50 blocked shots and a minus-5 rating over 48 appearances.

Will Smith had a goal and assist for the Sharks in a 6-3 loss to the Bruins in his homecoming on Monday before San Jose also lost 7-5 at Nashville

DeAngelo had a decent run in the KHL, albeit a short one. In his 34 games, he was the highest-scoring defenseman in the league, logging six goals and 26 assists for 32 points, as well as a plus-15 rating with SKA St. Petersburg.

Connor Ingram made 23 saves and Olli Maatta scored his first goal for the Utah Hockey Club in a 5-2 victory over Winnipeg Jets on Monday night. Logan Cooley, Barrett Hayton, Matias Maccelli and Clayton Keller also scored to help Utah win its second consecutive home game.

The Bruins placed Mark Kastelic on injured reserved and called up two veterans from Providence prior to their trip to New Jersey for a game against the Devils on Wednesday.