NHL
BRIGHTON, Mass. — The Boston Bruins acquired Andrew Peeke from the Columbus Blue Jackets for much-needed playoff belligerence. They are going to be with out it for a minimum of video games 3 and 4, and almost certainly past.
Coach Jim Montgomery categorized the right-shot defenseman as week to week due to an undisclosed damage suffered within the second interval of the Bruins’ 3-2 Sport 2 loss. Peeke’s absence is happening at precisely the flawed time.
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On Wednesday, the Bruins will likely be with out final change for the primary time in Spherical 1. William Nylander, unavailable thus far due to an undisclosed damage, might make his collection debut for the Toronto Maple Leafs in Sport 3. The Leafs turned the ice in entrance of Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark into powder in video games 1 and a couple of.
“It’s a robust blow,” Montgomery stated. “He’s been actually good for us.”
Who will exchange Peeke? We’ll go so as of the seemingly candidates.
Originally of April, the defensive left-shot defenseman seemed like a six-pack lock for the primary spherical. Wotherspoon wearing 5 of the final six regular-season video games. He stayed true to his sport: simple, stout in entrance of his internet, dependable with the puck.
“Parker has been higher with the puck than anticipated,” Montgomery stated April 9. “He’s been the sandpaper we thought he would deliver. Defensively, he continues to get higher. Early within the yr, there have been instances the place, whether or not it was reads or no matter, he ended up in conditions the place it was odd-man rushes. We’re not seeing that anymore. So he’s a vastly improved hockey participant for us.”
Wotherspoon had logged solely 12 NHL video games previous to signing with the Bruins on July 1, 2023. He began 2023-24 in Windfall. However the Bruins recalled him for good in mid-December. He performed in a career-high 41 video games, recording eight assists whereas averaging 17:43 of ice time per look. On March 8, the Bruins rewarded Wotherspoon with a one-year, $800,000 extension. It’s Wotherspoon’s first one-way contract.
“There’s true perception in myself coming by way of,” Wotherspoon stated April 9. “I haven’t had numerous time within the NHL. Nevertheless it was principally simply alternative. I knew after I’d get that chance, I’d be prepared.”
Wotherspoon turned the spare defenseman in video games 1 and a couple of. It was not due to his play. The Bruins thought-about Kevin Shattenkirk and his offensive contact, particularly on the facility play, as extra advantageous to have within the lineup over the stay-at-home Wotherspoon.
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There was one important downside with utilizing Shattenkirk and Peeke, each righties, on the No. 3 pair. Shattenkirk needed to play his off aspect. It was not splendid, particularly underneath heavy forechecking within the defensive zone.
By dressing Wotherspoon in Sport 3, Montgomery can transfer Shattenkirk to his sturdy aspect. Shattenkirk is extra snug on the precise.
As for the pair, Wotherspoon and Shattenkirk shared 143:03 of five-on-five ice time throughout the common season, per Pure Stat Trick. The Bruins outscored opponents by an 8-4 margin with the duo on the ice. Their 66.67 goals-for share was highest amongst pairs with a minimum of 100 minutes of labor collectively.
The Bruins recalled the rookie from Windfall on Tuesday. Lohrei and Wotherspoon participated in an optionally available observe.
Lohrei is extra expert than Wotherspoon. He’s intelligent with the puck and eager to work the offensive blue line. The Bruins like his size, offensive instincts and willingness to be taught.
Throwing Lohrei into the playoff frenzy, nonetheless, could be a giant ask. The 23-year-old has room to develop defensively by way of decision-making, power on the puck and positional consciousness. Montgomery must shelter Lohrei and Shattenkirk, particularly with out final change.
“Offensively gifted participant. Sees the sport offensively,” normal supervisor Don Sweeney stated earlier than the collection. “Must respect the sport a bit of bit extra from the standpoint of protection, taking away time and area and being as arduous on the puck restoration aspect of issues. However his exits and his offensive blue line stuff, it’s actually arduous to show that aspect. So we’re actually excited along with his development.”
The Bruins had been outscored 9-3 throughout the common season with Lohrei and Shattenkirk collectively as a pair on the ice.
The veteran defenseman is forward of schedule following two procedures for unknown illnesses. He completed the season on long-term injured reserve. Forbort appeared in two video games for Windfall on a conditioning task earlier than returning to the varsity.
Forbort practiced Tuesday. He was scheduled to journey with the staff to Toronto. Montgomery categorized Forbort as day after day however didn’t assume he could be an possibility for Sport 3.
(High picture of Parker Wotherspoon: Patrick Smith / Getty Photos)
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Fluto Shinzawa is a senior author for The Athletic protecting the Boston Bruins. He has coated the staff since 2006, previously as a employees author for The Boston Globe. Comply with Fluto on Twitter @flutoshinzawa
