According to interim coach Joe Sacco, the physical forward is out with an illness. Frederic’s absence leaves the Bruins without one of their most physical players. He has seven goals and seven assists in 47 games. The Bruins are now missing, Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm, Cole Koepke and Frederic.

BOSTON — Bruins interim coach Joe Sacco had plenty to sort out when he met with the media after morning skate ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Lightning at TD Garden. Two players were called up, two were placed on injured reserve and a third was moved from injured reserve to long-term injured reserve. Sacco explained:

The Bruins called up Matt Poitras from Providence on Tuesday, but the team also placed Charlie McAvoy on injured reserve.

The Boston Bruins are back on the ice tomorrow afternoon to face off against the San Jose Sharks. They will aim to bounce back after a deflating shootout loss to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.

Coyle will start the game on the third line on the wing with Matt Poitras, who returns at center and Trent Frederic. Vinni Lettieri will play his first game in Boston this season in Coyle’s regular spot with Elias Lindholm and Brad Marchand. Oliver Wahlstrom will sit out with Coyle available.

The Boston Bruins made a series of roster transactions on Tuesday, including placing defenseman Charlie McAvoy on injured reserve and calling up center Matt Poitras from AHL Providence.

For now, no help is coming for the Bruins, who have lost six straight heading into Saturday's matchup with the Cup champion Panthers.

The other moves related to injury classifications, with franchise defenseman Charlie McAvoy surprisingly placed on the injured reserve list.

Lindholm has been a 22-point flop. He is signed for six more seasons with no-move protection through 2029. Lindholm, 30, is practically untradeable, even if the Bruins eat part of his remaining salary.

Brad Marchand was clearly not at his best in the Bruins’ 6-5 shootout loss to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. He had trouble handling the puck most of the afternoon and was slow to close on Josh Norris before the Senator scored the tying goal with 12 seconds left in regulation.

The Boston Bruins are playing the Ottawa Senators this afternoon in a very important contest. The Bruins are only ahead of the Senators by one point for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference,

The Boston Bruins are in a sticky situation heading into the second half of the season. They are in the playoff mix, but the gap is narrow. So, what should the Bruins do at the trade deadline?