Mason Lohrei, a young and promising defenseman for the Boston Bruins, had a dream come true when he made his playoff debut in Game 3 against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday. It was a proud moment for Lohrei, who had been working hard all season to earn a spot on the team’s playoff roster.
Lohrei was thrust into the lineup due to injuries to Matt Grzelcyk and Andrew Peeke, but he didn’t look out of place. He played alongside Charlie McAvoy, one of the Bruins’ top defensemen, and the two formed an impressive partnership.
“He’s the kind of player that just makes everybody else on the ice with him better,” Lohrei said of McAvoy. “So fortunate to play with him throughout the year a little bit and then see if we can keep the chemistry going.”
Lohrei played a physical and responsible game, using his long reach to take away time and space from the Maple Leafs’ skilled forwards. He also showed some offensive flair, generating a few scoring chances.
“I think the growth in his defensive game has been very obvious,” said Bruins coach Jim Montgomery. “He’s really [been] a sponge with the coaches, so he’s really fun to work with.”
Lohrei’s performance in Game 3 was a reminder of the Bruins’ depth on defense. With McAvoy, Grzelcyk, Peeke, and Lohrei all capable of playing big minutes, the Bruins are well-equipped to make a deep playoff run.
The Bruins and Maple Leafs will have two days off before Game 4, which will be played in Boston on Saturday night.
