Andrew Peeke expected to return from injury

The Bruins will have reinforcements on the blue line for what is shaping up to a physical slugfest against the Panthers on Friday night.

After Friday’s morning skate at TD Garden, Bruins coach Jim Montgomery revealed that defenseman Andrew Peeke will be available for Game 3 later that evening. The 26-year-old missed the last seven games after taking a puck off his hand during Game 2 against the Maple Leafs on April 22.

Peeke, acquired by Boston from Columbus at the trade deadline, should add some D-zone heft and snarl to the Bruins’ third pairing against a physical Panthers team.

Peeke logged 4:49 of shorthanded ice time against Toronto over five total periods of playoff hockey — blocking two shots and landing two hits.

“He does a real good job, because you know what you’re gonna get,” Montgomery said of Peeke. “You’re gonna get someone who’s gonna compete, who’s gonna be physical, gonna defend his net hard, and he’s gonna join the rush.”

Peeke — who hails from Parkland, Florida, and whose father was a season-ticket holder for Panthers games — is excited to draw back into the lineup against his hometown team. 

“If you’d tell young me that one day I’d be playing against this team, I would’ve told you no,” Peeke said. “But being in this spot, playing for the Bruins and having that honor is pretty special. Against your hometown team, makes it even better.”

The Bruins did not take part in line rushes during Friday’s morning skate, but Parker Wotherspoon was on the ice late with players like Danton Heinen (still day-to-day with an injury) and Kevin Shattenkirk — signaling that Wotherspoon will be the odd man out of the lineup with Peeke returning.

Montgomery also noted that the Bruins will make a lineup change up front, with Jesper Boqvist skating early with other projected scratches like Matt Grzelcyk. If Boqvist slots out, Jakub Lauko is a candidate to draw into the lineup as a fleet-footed agitator capable of drawing penalties.

The Bruins did not name a starting goalie for Game 3, but Jeremy Swayman was in the starter’s net during morning skate — while Linus Ullmark remained on the ice late with Wotherspoon, Heinen, and the other expected scratches.

While Peeke’s return should provide a nice boost for a Bruins team that needs all the help it can get against Florida’s high-octane offense, the Panthers’ depth chart is also…