[Ed. note: As part of the build-up to the first round playoff series between the Capitals and the Bruins, Japers’ Rink will be looking at some of the important but perhaps lesser-known players on the Bruins and how they might impact the series.]
Rich Peverley
#49 / Center / Boston Bruins
6-0
195
Jul 08, 1982
Birthplace: Kingston, Ontario
Drafted: Undrafted (signed by Nashville in January, 2007)
| Assets | Is a late-blooming offensive talent with great vision and setup skills. Can play a well-rounded game and line up at any forward position. Is also a solid face-off man. |
| Flaws | Isn’t overly big or physical, so he can be pushed around at the NHL level. Will also turn the puck over from time to time. |
| Career Potential | Versatile playmaking forward. (Assets, Flaws and Career Potential via SB Nation player page) |
Why you should know who he is – Peverley had a couple of goals and a helper against the Caps this season and seven goals and nine assists in 20 career games against Washington (most coming from his days as a Thrasher), so you’re probably already familiar with his work. He’s been skating with David Krejci and Milan Lucic lately, so while eyes may be on his linemates, the Caps can’t sleep on the under-the-radar Peverley, who racked up points at a rate that trailed only Lucic and Tyler Seguin at 5-on-5.
How the Caps can stop him – Peverley led the B’s in power-play time on ice per game (surprising, no?) and his 5-on-4 scoring rate is tops among healthy Boston forwards, so discipline is certainly one key (albeit more general than specific to Peverley). At even-strength, Peverley’s puck-possession numbers weren’t great (relative to his teammates), and he’s gotten great “puck luck,” so pressuring Peverley and being physical with him is a start, not giving him passing lanes and space are also important. But all of that is easier said than done.
