WILMINGTON, MassThe jury is still out on whether Rich Peverley will suit up for Friday nights game against the Florida Panthers, but he missed his second straight day of practice with an undisclosed issue.
The nagging problem wont fully go away, and Claude Julien said that Peverley will be playing with it for the entirety of the season. That likely means its something that will need surgery once the year is over, but a couple of extra days of rest sandwiched around three days off for Christmas could be beneficial for the shifty Peverley.
Peverley has 10 points (2 goals, 8 assists) during nine games in the month of December, and there is clearly an upside to earning two points against an Eastern Conference competitor like the Florida Panthers headed into the holiday.
Therein lies the Bs dilemma with Peverley.
Were not 100 percent. We decided to keep him off the ice today and well decide tomorrow morning whether we skate him to get him ready for the night or whether well give him the extra rest, Julien said. If thats the case then the goal is to give him extra rest. Were not sure we can totally eliminate and well have to deal with for the year. Its a little nagging injury that wont stop him from playing, but sometimes rest does him a lot of good.
Ironically hes been playing some of his best hockey while playing banged up, but the Bs also have Zach Hamill to step in for Peverley. The 23-year-old skated with Benoit Pouliot and Chris Kelly at practice on Thursday morning at Ristuccia Arena.