VANCOUVER – Mark Recchi is ready to walk away from a Hall of Fame playing career if the Bruins defeat the Canucks and win the Stanley Cup. This means there’s a pretty good chance that the 43-year-old could have between four and seven games left before he retires from the game.

Naturally, a guy who has played the game with as much heart and passion as Recchi would want to make the most of his remaining days in the NHL. Yet as the Bruins close in on the Cup, one reason they could be there is because of Recchi’s minutes being decreased. 

Claude Julien began playing Rich Peverley from time to time on Recchi’s wing on the second line in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals vs. the Lightning. Recchi had been struggling in the series, averaging somewhere around 16 and a half minutes per night but doing little with them. Prior to Game 7, Julien told Recchi that he would be giving Peverley some time on the second line in his place.

“Claude talked to me,” Recchi said Tuesday. “We talked about it. We're at that point where it's all about what the team is, and I don't have an ego.” 

Julien is rarely questioned for the things he does. Generally, when people criticize him, it’s about what he isn’t doing, but his decision to play Peverley with Patrice Bergeron’s line (as well as others on a night in which Peverley was moved throughout the lineup quite a bit in Game 7) was a great one. Throughout the night, Peverley showed that his speed is too much to be stuck on a fourth line, while Recchi, playing a postseason-low 12:39, looked far more sharp than he had in previous games.

One would generally worry that a player might be less engaged when on the ice less frequently, but Recchi, who had three shots on goal after totaling five in the first six games of the series, benefitted from spending a bit more time on the bench.

“At this point, it does help. There's no question,” Recchi said. “Bergy checks a lot of top lines, and a lot of top lines play a lot of big minutes. I'm no spring chicken anymore. It does give you an opportunity to get your breath. 

“I think Claude did a great job of getting in there, keeping Pevs sharp, because really, Pevs is not a fourth-line player. So it's great that he keeps him sharp, keeps him with his line, but then throws him in there and gives me that extra little breather that I can be on my toes and I can be on my toes for the shifts that I'm out there.”

Recchi is correct in knowing Julien’s move, which it appears will stick given that Peverley has joined Bergeron, Recchi and Brad Marchand in gold practice jerseys, is just as much about Peverley as it is about him. Having Recchi playing at a higher level in smaller doses is a plus, while using Peverley’s speed and ability to get pucks on net gives the line a totally different look despite only piece changing.

There are advantages and disadvantages to having each guy out there. In addition to their styles of play, Peverley is also a good on draws, which gives the B’s a good option if Bergeron gets chased from the dot. Though he’s more familiar with Recchi, Marchand knows both players’ talents well.

“Rex is so good around the net. He just knows where to go, and areas to get the puck down low,” Brad Marchand said. “Especially around the front of the net, he's so dangerous. Me and Bergy always know that when he's out there, he's going to be around the front of the net in the high slot. With Pevs, he's so fast on the wing, and he can control the puck down low in the corners and make plays.”

Peverley is also in a bit of a unique situation, much like the Bruins are. Considering how strong Vancouver’s top lines are, it’s noteworthy that Boston seems set to continue rotating someone onto their second line. Yet in Peverley’s case, it’s a good thing. When he doesn’t know for sure just where he falls, the uncertainty helps him to stay motivated.

“Yeah, I think it does help. You've got to be ready all the time,” Peverley said. “You're not just waiting to play with your regular linemates. I've been used a little bit also on face-offs, so if you're out there on a face-off, it keeps you in the game a little bit more.”

All parties seem happy with the arrangement, and the fact that Recchi, nearing the end of his career, is cool with his minutes being cut for the sake of the team, should surprise nobody.