“He’s done it before and it’s a situation that I think he’s very comfortable in being part of the second unit,” the coach said. “He did really well there for us.”

It’s a natural fit for Lohrei, who has excellent offensive instincts and is one of Boston’s most skilled and creative passers.

“It’s a role I’ve played throughout my life, so I feel really comfortable there and I enjoy it,” Lohrei said.

Being the only defender on offense, you have to be aggressive offensively and be aware that if there is a rebound, you have to be ready to run it back and prevent a breakaway.

“You’re definitely the last man back, so you have to keep that in mind,” Lohrei said. “But it’s just about reading the situation and finding open ice and when you can hit, get down and get in the slot, but you always have to be aware that if something happens, you have to come back.”

Osterle makes his debut

Jordan Oesterle made his Bruins debut after being recalled from Providence on Wednesday. The veteran defender played with Parker Wotherspoon.

Oesterle counts “getting the puck out, (maintaining) tight gaps, being creative in the offensive zone” among his strengths.

“I’ve been in this situation and I’m comfortable with these guys in training camp,” Oesterle said. “So I’m just excited to go out and play and play to my strengths, play simple, and when things open up, I try to take advantage of it, but don’t try to do too much .”

Oesterle had a strong summer and his familiarity with the Bruins’ defensive systems — which are also used in Providence — made him the logical choice to get the call.

“I also used this system last year in Calgary, so it makes things a little easier,” he said after a morning skate. “I had time to work on it and get used to it. It’s a difficult system if you’re not used to it. So yeah, it’s an easy transition.

Because Oesterle had 371 NHL games under his belt, Montgomery wasn’t worried his nerves would be a problem.

“He’s a veteran player, he’s played a lot of games in this league and had success in the league,” the coach said. “He knows our systems very well. He did it there, as well as in camp, and his hockey sense is going to allow him to move pucks, jump and present those opportunities offensively, and also kill plays defensively for us.

Versatile player

It was game No. 980 for the Stars’ alternate captain. Tyler Seguinof which he played the first 203 with the Bruins after being their first round pick in 2010.

A brash and arrogant sniper when he entered the NHL, Seguin has developed into a reliable, two-way player who kills penalties while displaying remarkable offensive skills.

However, perhaps his greatest growth came off the ice. From the new recruit to the wise veteran and locker room leader.

“Mature is a good word to describe it,” the Stars coach said. Pete DeBoer. “And you know, it didn’t happen overnight. He’s married now, he’s settled down. He is comfortable in his position in the championship. Within our group, I see a really mature guy who brings us a lot of leadership.

“I knew Tyler a little bit before, but I’m not sure maturity and leadership, when I got here, would have been words I would use to describe him, at least from what I knew. But I have no problem doing it today. I think he was excellent in those areas. There’s a lot of growth in him that way. He has been a real integral piece for us.

Seguin entered the game with 358 goals and 799 points, including 7 goals and 11 points this season.

Its evolution attracted the attention of Brad Marchand. The two were often teammates during the Bruins’ run to the Stanley Cup in 2011.

“He’s still arrogant,” Marchand said with a laugh. “Segs is great. He is one of the most gifted players I have played with throughout my career. What has really impressed me about his game recently is his attention to his defensive game. He’s really detailed now in the defensive zone when he kills, he works really hard on the backcheck, he competes in his own zone, which he had to work on as a young player… So, I give him a lot of credit . He didn’t need to change and adapt that way, but he did and he’s a great player for this team.

Johnson out of the lineup

Bruins winger Tyler Johnson was not in the lineup for an undisclosed reason. His place in the lineup was taken by Patrick Brownwho was called earlier today. Brown scored 3 goals and 7 points in a dozen games as Providence’s captain… After-check: The North Stars/Stars have six retired numbers: Neal Broten (7), Bill Goldsworthy (8), Mike Modano (9), Bill Masterton (19), Jere Lehtinen (26), and Sergei Zubov (56) …Song of the night: “No Rain,” by Blind Melon.

Jim McBride can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow him @globejimmcbride.