The Boston Bruins have remained relatively healthy during an up-and-down season until now. After losing defenseman Hampus Lindholm to a lower-body injury in November, Charlie McAvoy sustained an injury on January 11 and will be out a ‘few games,” according to interim Head Coach Joe Sacco. Arguably Boston’s top two blueliners are out while the Bruins try to hold on to a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. However, there has been a shining light in the Bruins defensemen, Andrew Peeke.
On Tuesday night, defenseman Andrew Peeke responded and provided one of his best games as a Bruin. Peeke collected an assist in the second period and then scored an empty-net goal, his first goal as a Bruin in a 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Peeke finished the night with a plus-4 rating.
Since being acquired at last season’s trade deadline, Peeke has been a steady defenseman for the Bruins. At the end of the 2023-24 season, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound defenseman played 15 regular season games with two assists. This season, Peeke has one goal and nine assists in 40 games with a minus-1 rating and is just five points shy of a career-high. Overall, Peeke has been a good anchor on the third pair and is currently playing with Mason Lohrei.
Peeke is a stay-at-home defenseman who will not provide much offense. However, his size and willingness to play physical, simple hockey have made him a valuable asset. With the current injury situation on the Bruins’ blue line, Peeke is even more useful than ever.
