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Boston Bruins: Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson to Make NHL Debut

By Brandon Share-Cohen

Apr 11, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; The Boston University Terriers surround forward Cason Hohmann (7) after his goal against the Providence College Friars during the second period in the championship game of the Frozen Four college ice hockey tournament at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; The Boston University Terriers surround forward Cason Hohmann (7) after his goal against the Providence College Friars during the second period in the championship game of the Frozen Four college ice hockey tournament at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Bruins Forward Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson to Make NHL Debut Against Washington Capitals

It took some time, but Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson is set to make his Boston Bruins and NHL debut Saturday. The 20-year-old forward signed his entry-level contract with the Bruins on April 2 but was unable to play in a game due to visa issues. Being from Sweden, the former Boston University Terrier was previously in the United States on a student visa. The process in getting his visa for work took some time, but with Brad Marchand out of the lineup, now is as good a time as any for JFK to get some game action ahead of the playoffs.

While playing at Boston University, Forsbacka Karlsson was great. His two-way game was second to none. Additionally, his ability to contribute clutch offensive production did not go unnoticed. This season, Forsbacka Karlsson scored 14 goals and 33 points in 39 games while centering the team’s top line. His production and line of work speaks for itself, and he looks ready to step right into an NHL role right out the gate.

Related Story: Colin Miller and Tim Schaller Return to the Lineup

A natural center, Forsbacka Karlsson could see time on the wing in the NHL to start his career. With Marchand out, it was speculated that the new Bruin could slot right into that top line role alongside Patrice Bergeron – a player he’s received many comparisons to already. He is set to slot into the Bruins third line center role, however, between Matt Beleskey and Drew Stafford.

Not the Only Lineup Changes

After missing time from the lineup, Colin Miller and Tim Schaller are set to return to the lineup. Miller has been a healthy scratch in favor of John-Michael Liles as of late, and Schaller was recovering from injury. With injuries to Noel Acciari and Torey Krug, the Bruins needed to make some adjustments in their final game of the regular season. With JFK also joining the mix, Sean Kuraly is expected to be a healthy scratch.

Next: Boston Bruins Sign Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson

The Bruins are playing for a spot within the top-three in the Atlantic Division. If they can do so, they will avoid playing the Washington Capitals in the first round fo the postseason. While playing any President’s Trophy winning team is an option that teams would like to avoid, this is more glaring for the Bruins when it comes to the Washington Capitals. It’s been well-documented that the Bruins have struggled against Braden Holtby and the Capitals in recent years and a first-round playoff series against them would be ill-advised.

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