It’s no secret that the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs have not been kind to Rich Peverley. Entering Game 4 Peverley had just one playoff point in 19 games, a second period goal in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Peverley also entered Game 4 a team worst minus-7.
In Game 4 Peverley was a better player and that worked out well for Peverley as the 30-year old forward found the back of the net for the first time in over a month.
“I haven’t played well or created chances since the Toronto series,” said Peverley. “So I think it’s been better. Last game I was good. And tonight was better, personally.”
Unfortunately Peverley’s teammates were not as good as he was in Game 4 as the Blackhawks beat the Bruins in overtime 6-5 to tie the series at two as the two teams head back to Chicago for a crucial Game 5.
“Well, we’ve got to cut down on mistakes, and I’m sure that the coaches will have a plan for us and hopefully like I said, tomorrow and Friday we’ll have a little bit of time to get rest and then I think the team should be pretty energetic come Saturday [Game 5]” added Peverley.
Since being acquired at the trade deadline by the Bruins in 2011, Peverley has been a key member of a successful Bruins team, especially in the playoffs, but Peverley has had a rough season in 2013 and that has carried over into the playoffs thus far. No.49 hopes his Game 4 goal turns things around for him.
“Yeah, I feel like last game was a good step in the right direction, and getting a goal tonight it was good, but it’s just frustrating you can’t get one when you want to win.”
One thing Peverley has done well throughout the series has been winning face-offs, and that was the case once again in Game 4 as Peverley won 6-of-11 face-offs. Peverley has now won 27 of the 41 face-offs he has taken in the series.
“I’ve always tried to be good on face-offs, and that’s just like I said I consider myself an offensive guy” said Peverley.
“So, not being able to score is frustrating, but play good defensively and create chances, create energy and be good on face-offs. That’s important.”
Now that series is tied through four games the Bruins know there is no margin for error and the Bruins need to be better in Game 5.
“Now it’s best of three, and we got to win a game there and it’s like I said, best of three here” said Peverley. “We got a couple days here in between to get some rest.”
Boston Bruins – Anthony covers the Boston Bruins for the Inside Edge Hockey News. During the Bruins 2010-2011 Stanley Cup winning season He created his own blog called Bruins Buzz. Just prior to the Stanley Cup Playoffs he began writing for Bruins Daily, which at the time was called The Hub of Hockey. He is a paralegal who also works as waiter at Fenway Park. In his spare time he plays and closely follow hockey from the NHL ranks to College hockey.