It’s difficult to take the place of a top-four defender in an NHL lineup. The Boston Bruins had to replace Matt Grzelcyk and Hampus Lindholm at the same time because Lindholm was declared week-to-week following an injury he sustained on Monday against the Dallas Stars. Just two days after they were already shorthanded, Grzelcyk was injured minutes into the Bruins’ game against the Oilers. Mason Lohrei rose to the occasion and demonstrated why the squad has such high expectations for him.
The Bruins’ blue line was severely depleted on Wednesday night against the Oilers due to Lindholm’s absence and Grzelcyk’s injury. With 58.2% of his shifts started in the defensive zone this season, Lindholm has been highly relied upon defensively and has an average of 23:42 of ice time per game. Grezelcyk, on the other hand, has been a vital member of the squad ever since he and Charlie McAvoy were reunited. He averages 17:14 of ice time. In light of these setbacks, Lohrei was asked to cover the significant minutes that these important players had left unfilled.
Lohrei demonstrated his flexibility in the game against the Oilers, skating for an astounding 23:32. He not only played good zone defense against the Bruins, but he also made three assists on the offensive end. In defense, he stopped four shots, showing that he was willing to give his life for the team. This play demonstrated Lohrei’s capacity to perform well under duress and his ability to be useful on both ends of the rink.
Lohrei continued to show off against the Calgary Flames, skating for 21:29 of ice time. He had three shots on goal and shown some offensive sparks despite not scoring any points in this game. More significantly, Lohrei tirelessly limited the Flames’ scoring opportunities, demonstrating his defensive duty once again. Lohrei’s strong defensive performance highlighted his increasing significance to the Bruins’ blue line, even though he was unable to match his point total from the previous game.
The fact that Lohrei has become a dependable defenseman when important guys are out tells something about his growth and the respect head coach Jim Montgomery has for him. The coach’s faith in Lohrei’s abilities is demonstrated by Montgomery’s decision to give him a lot of ice time in pivotal situations. Lohrei’s performances in these trying times have not only cemented his place on the team but also highlighted his potential as a future pillar of the Bruins’ defense.
Lohrei Deserves to Remain in Boston
Lohrei’s ability to score goals at a rate he hasn’t experienced since entering Ohio State in the NCAA is an intriguing development for the team thus far this season. In his last USHL season with the Green Bay Gamblers, Lohrei scored 19 goals in 48 games, but he had struggled to find the back of the net in both the NCAA and the AHL. Over the course of two seasons, the 6-foot-5 blueliner scored eight goals in 71 games with Ohio State and just one goal in 22 games with the Providence Bruins. But in 29 games in the NHL, Lohrei already has three goals. Even though he isn’t anticipated to be a goal scorer, Lohrei and the Bruins may benefit in the long run if he can produce offensive from the back end and make opponents commit to stopping him.
The rookie defenseman, chosen in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft’s second round, has demonstrated his ability to log significant playing time in the league. Even while he hasn’t been flawless by any means, it’s difficult to dispute the improvements he’s made this season, and playing against NHL skill is the only way he can develop his game against NHL talent. His ability to fit in with the team and take on more responsibility at the age of 23 has not only lessened the blow of injuries but also offered a window into what lies ahead for the Bruins.
The Bruins may look forward to Lohrei’s addition of defensive depth to their lineup with optimism. He’s almost like an internal addition to the squad that could help them conserve some assets as the NHL Trade Deadline draws near. Lohrei’s inclusion in these plans could alter things, but realistically, the team has to decide if they are serious competitors this season and if adding more players is worth the expense.
