Bruins’ Andrew Peeke eligible to return for Boston Bruins in Game 3

The Parkland, Florida native spoke about his excitement potentially playing his hometown team in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

“It’s pretty cool,” Peeke said. “If you were to tell young me that one day I’d be playing against this team, I would have told you no. But being in this spot, obviously, playing for the Bruins and having that honor is pretty special. Playing against your hometown team makes it even better.”

After being traded from the Columbus Blue Jackets at the deadline in exchange for Jakub Zboril and a 2027 third-round pick, the 2016 second-round pick recorded two assists in 15 regular-season games for Boston. He has 44 points (10 goals, 34 assists) and is minus-59 in 233 career NHL games. 

In his absence, Boston turned to 23-year-old Mason Lohrei, who played the past seven games. Lohrei was good for the Bruins, playing over 18 minutes per game and scoring his first career playoff goal in the Game 1 win against the Panthers. 

It is unknown if Peeke will play or who will come out in Game 2 if he does, as Lohrei was still skating with the power-play units this morning. 

The Panthers dominated the Bruins 6-1 in Game 2 and were able to split the first two games of the series after losing 5-1 in Game 1. Game 3 will be at TD Garden in Boston on Friday night.