Another Bruin who had a down year was Rich Peverley. The speedy center scored six goals and had 12 assists while posting a minus-9 in 47 games.

In 2012, Peverley scored 11 goals and assisted on 31 others while sporting a plus-20. There was a significant drop-off in production this season for whatever reason and  Claude Julien didn’t take any chances by benching him in Game 1 as a healthy scratch against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Peverley returned for Game 2, but like his teammates, didn’t make much of an impact. He totaled 13:42 of total ice time and did not record a shot.

But it looked like Peverley played with a chip on his shoulder in Game 3. The veteran netted a goal to put the B’s up 2-0 on a beautiful feed from the ageless Jaromir Jagr that silenced the Toronto faithful.

“Yeah, I want to be able to contribute anyway I can and if it’s not on the score sheet it’s winning face-offs or whatever and you know we had all four lines going tonight, all six defenseman and Tuukka,” Peverley told NHL Network after the victory.

Peverley also talked about the adjustments the B’s had to make in Game 3 to overcome their Game 2 loss on Saturday night.

“We had to get back to playing simple hockey,” Peverley said on NHL Network. “I think that is best for us and chipping pucks in I don’t think we did that in Game 2 enough and I think holding on to the puck down low and using our size and I think guys did a really good job of that tonight.”

The third-line was a great compliment to the juggernaut line of Lucic-Krejci-Horton winning face-offs, being physical and keeping the puck down in their offensive end. One reason was the play of Peverley. He was scrutinized earlier in the season, his name was in trade talks and he was a healthy scratch in Game 1, but Julien has now seen his potential in Game 3 and he must keep the foot on the gas pedal if the B’s want to skate on to the second round.

It was only last season in the Stanley Cup playoffs where Peverley led the Black and Gold in scoring. He tallied five points in seven games against the Washington Capitals, so he is no stranger to contributing in big games.

Can Peverley and the Bruins carry their momentum into Game 4 and head back to Boston with a 3-1 series lead? They haven’t won two straight since early April, but that can all change with a similar performance Wednesday night.