Peeke Considered “Week-to-Week,” Won’t Travel to Toronto

BOSTON – Bruins blue liner Andrew Peeke suffered an undisclosed injury during the second period of Monday night’s Game 2 loss to the Maple Leafs and will not travel with the club to Toronto for Games 3 and 4 of the first-round series, according to coach Jim Montgomery.

“It is a tough blow, he's been really good for us,” Montgomery said following an optional practice on Tuesday at Warrior Ice Arena. “Everybody that's on the trip, every defenseman that's on the trip, [Mason] Lohrei, [Parker] Wotherspoon…they play really good hockey for us, so it's a position of strength for us. The depth is good.”

Lohrei was recalled from Providence on Tuesday morning after suiting up for the P-Bruins over the weekend. The rookie defenseman could make his NHL postseason debut in Toronto.

“His poise with the puck, his ability to find middle ice, his ability to make plays in the offensive zone is something that we're going to possibly look at for next game,” said Montgomery. “And also, his willingness to go back for pucks is a strength.”

Montgomery added that defenseman Derek Forbort, who rejoined the team for practice on Monday, is not likely to be available for Game 3, though he will travel with the team.

“He’s not week-to-week anymore, he's day-to-day,” said Montgomery. “But as far as being an option for game 3, we don’t see it.”

Upping Their Game

Montgomery said that, overall, the Bruins need to improve their game, particularly offensively. Boston’s bench boss noted that he believed his club improved defensively in Game 2.

“Toronto didn’t give us many odd man rushes, we had three from our calculations…we only gave up two,” said Montgomery. “It’s one of those games where we need to win more 1-on-1 battles low, at both ends, to be able to create more offense. Defensively, I thought we were better in a lot of areas that we think are really important. Our goaltenders have been up to the task.

“Offensively, it's just not there, and we need to be better on the forecheck, we need to be more patient once we have it as far as when to attack the net, and our decision making with the puck in the offensive zone.”

Bruins captain Brad Marchand said that the key to more success will be winning battles at both ends of the rink.

“That’s the biggest thing right now,” said Marchand. “They’re competing hard, they’re getting numbers of pucks and coming up with more of those pucks which is making it easier for them to break out and harder for us to attack the net. We have to win more battles.”

Marchand added that the Bruins must be aware of Toronto’s increased physicality.

“They’re playing a really good playoff-type game right now,” said Marchand. “You knew they would, they’re built different than in the past years. They’re playing a lot more physical, a lot more committed to forechecking, playing very tight defensively. Gotta give them credit, they’re one of the top teams for a reason. And then when you add their offensive ability on top of that, they’re a tough team to play right now.”

That was evident during Game 1 even with the B’s being in control for much of their 5-1 victory.

“We’re seeing it, even the first game. It was a different game than the score,” said Marchand. “We have to continue to be better. It’s a very tight playoff series. We knew it was gonna be a battle. They’ve showed up, they’re playing for keeps, it’s a good battle.

“We can be better. There are some areas we need to continue to grow in, some areas we’ve been good, but other areas we need to be better. We can definitely improve our game and put a better showing out there for sure.”

Wait, There’s More

• A limited number of players took the ice for an optional skate on Tuesday: Jesper Boqvist, Justin Brazeau, Forbort, Trent Frederic, Lohrei, James van Riemsdyk, Wotherspoon, Jeremy Swayman, and Linus Ullmark.
• Montgomery said he hasn’t yet decided if there will be any further lineup changes for Game 3. “We just looked at the team game, we'll analyze the individual game changes that we think might be needed and then we'll make final decisions [on Wednesday],” he said. “It's all individual performance and matchups and what we think might give us an advantage. If guys are playing and doing well, you're not going to make changes.”