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BOSTON - Connor Clifton cleared COVID-19 protocol over the weekend and was back at practice on Monday afternoon, leaving fellow blue liner Matt Grzelcyk as the only Bruin remaining on the list. Clifton said, outside of a few sniffles, he was largely asymptomatic after testing positive last Monday in Washington, and took a car service back from the nation's capital that afternoon.

"We were on a run, still are luckily - obviously it sucks watching, especially when I just had COVID four months ago," said Clifton. "So, it wasn't ideal, but it is what it is…most of us have gotten it already. So hopefully it's in the past now and we can continue to build. We're obviously on a roll here."
Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said Clifton was "back in the mix" and could play on Tuesday night vs. Carolina.
The Bruins also had Nick Foligno back for Monday's practice. The winger has missed the last four games after suffering a lower-body injury during the B's win over the Tampa Bay Lightning last Saturday. Cassidy said Foligno will not play on Tuesday night, but he's "very close" to a return to game action.
Trent Frederic and John Moore, both dealing with upper-body injuries, did not skate on Monday and will not be available against the Hurricanes.

Clifton Addresses Media after Rejoining the Team

Kuhlman Claimed by Seattle

Karson Kuhlman was placed on waivers on Sunday and, per reports, was claimed by the Seattle Kraken on Monday afternoon. With the emergence of Oskar Steen and COVID-19 easing its grip on the roster, the Black & Gold now have a bevy of bottom-six forwards competing for spots, which left the Bruins with a decision to make.
"Eventually we're going to have numbers. If you look at the forward group, I think it was 14-15 guys who played for us," said Cassidy. "I'll put Steen there on a consistent basis. I think we started the year with 14, now you got him in the mix, and I think he's done well enough to stay in the lineup. He plays the same position as Kuhlman, so that has a lot to do with it.
"I credit Steen for coming in and pushing and doing a good job. Kuhly on the other hand, when he went any place, he played well, he just played to his strengths, tried to be a little more physical at times when he could. Steener's just a little bit ahead of him right now."
Kuhlman, 26, signed with the Bruins as a free agent out of the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2017 and spent parts of two seasons with Providence before getting a look with Boston during the 2018-19 campaign. The winger played eight games during the B's postseason run and picked up a goal in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final against St. Louis.
The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Minnesota native notched 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 75 games for the Bruins from 2018-22.

BOS@STL, Gm6: Kuhlman buries first playoff goal

Wait, There's More

Cassidy Addresses Media After Monday's Practice

Monday's Practice Lineup

FORWARDS
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - Craig Smith
Taylor Hall - Erik Haula - David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk - Charlie Coyle - Oskar Steen
Anton Blidh - Tomas Nosek - Curtis Lazar
Nick Foligno
DEFENSEMEN
Urho Vaakanainen - Charlie McAvoy
Mike Reilly - Brandon Carlo
Derek Forbort - Connor Clifton/Tyler Lewington
GOALIES
Tuukka Rask
Linus Ullmark