After Derek Forbort made his postseason debut against the Panthers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs’ second round, the Bruins had more depth on the blue line.
During Boston’s matchup against Florida, injured defenseman Andrew Peeke is also anticipated to make a comeback to the lineup “at some point,” in addition to Forbort.
When it comes to deciding on the defensive pairings, Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery will have a lot of talent on the back end to manage.
Montgomery told reporters on Tuesday that whenever Peeke is ready to go, “it’s going to be a great problem.” “That issue is one we’re now facing. In Game 1, we didn’t play Kevin Shattenkirk. He has made a significant contribution to our group.
Forbort and Parker Wotherspoon, Mason Lohrei and Brandon Carlo, and Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy were Montgomery’s defensive pairings in Game 1. Boston’s healthy scratches were Shattenkirk and Matt Grzelyck, while Peeke was sidelined due to an unspecified injury. The Boston Bruins’ 5-1 victory was directly influenced by their defense.
With six shots stopped, Lindholm led the Bruins’ defensive core, and Forbort recorded a career-high six hits in the first game. Lohrei and Carlo scored goals for Boston.
As Boston advances farther in the playoffs, Montgomery will have the luxury of rotating players in and out of the lineup to keep legs fresh.
Particularly rookie Mason Lohrei, each defenseman assists the Bruins in their respective matchups: first against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the opening round, and now against the Panthers in the second round.
Montgomery described him as “an extremely competitive player.” “His elegance with the puck conveys something that may not be evident in the physicality of his play.
He is after the puck, and there are several ways to be intense. Players that desire the puck in crucial situations and players who want to check in crucial situations must possess such intensity.
Although Peeke’s availability is unknown, Montgomery still has the chance to rotate the D-pairs as Shattenkirk and Grzelyck wait for their chance to appear in the series.
On Wednesday night, the Bruins and Panthers resume their second-round series. ESPN will broadcast the puck drop from Amerant Bank Arena, which is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. NESN+ offers an hour of pre- and post-game coverage.