Bruins rookie Mason Lohrei set to make Stanley Cup Playoffs debut in Game 3
Lohrei's shot-first approach and passing could help boost Boston's offense at 5-on-5 play.
Jim Montgomery is switching things up on the Bruins’ defense ahead of Boston’s Game 3 rematch with the Maple Leafs on Wednesday night.
Mason Lohrei, who was recalled from Providence on Tuesday following Andrew Peeke’s injury, is expected to make his postseason debut at Scotiabank Arena. During morning skate on Wednesday, Lohrei skated alongside Charlie McAvoy on Boston’s top defensive pairing.
“I know what they expect and I’ve been around all year,” Lohrei said of the message from the coaching staff going into Game 3. “Go out there, try to compete, and do that.”
With Lohrei slotting into the lineup next to McAvoy, Matt Grzelcyk is expected to be a scratch for Game 3, while Parker Wotherspoon will replace Peeke on Boston’s third pairing.
With Peeke serving as a dependable, stay-at-home option and PK asset since arriving in Boston, Wotherspoon will be tasked with replicating some of those taxing D-zone reps further down on the depth chart.
Lohrei’s shot-ready approach and passing capabilities could come in handy for a Bruins team that had its transition game halted throughout Monday’s Game 2 loss.
“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,” Montgomery said of Lohrei on Tuesday. “Also his willingness to go back for pucks is a strength.”
Lohrei stands as one of Boston’s most coveted prospects, given his playmaking ability from the blue line and his 6-foot-5, 211-pound frame. He appeared in 41 games with Boston this season, scoring four goals and posting 13 total points.
As expected for any rookie defenseman whose game revolves around moving the puck, Lohrei’s D-zone fortitude and decision-making under duress have been an area that teams have exploited at times during his first year against NHL competition. During Lohrei’s 630:28 of 5-on-5 ice time this season, the Bruins have been outscored, 29-27.
Still, Lohrei feels as though he’s made significant strides in that area of his game, especially since the start of the 2023-24 season.
“Definitely just defensively, being more physical, boxing out,” Lohrei said of his growth this season. “Playing the rush, just being responsible defensively. And I mean, I think it’s not a super glorified area of the game but I’m pretty confident in the strides that I’ve made this year and only going to try and keep getting better at that.”
Elsewhere across Boston’s lineup, James van Riemsdyk skated on Boston’s top power-play unit, per The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa.
The 34-year-old forward gave Boston a significant scoring boost early in the 2023-24 season, scoring 37 points over his first 51 games with the team. But the veteran’s scoring cratered in the second half — point just one point and no goals over his last 20 games.
“We’ve talked about it a lot of times, I mean, internally,” Montgomery said of how van Riemsdyk has handled being in and out of the lineup. “Him and [Kevin] Shattenkirk have been great. They’re true pros. Like every day, [they] come to work, come to get better. It’s not an easy situation, but he’s been great.”
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