SUNRISE, Fla.–Derek Forbort’s season was supposed to be over.

When Bruins’ GM Don Sweeney met with reporters at the trade deadline at which the B’s obtained the similarly-skilled defenseman Andrew Peeke, he gave the indication that the rugged stay-at-home Forbort was most likely done for the year.

But defying the odds, Forbort made it back from two still-undisclosed surgeries to return to the lineup for Game 1 against the Florida Panthers on Monday. The Bruins hope that they have a long way to go in this playoff run, but it was a significant personal victory for the defenseman just to get back on the ice and in uniform.

“Yeah, it was huge,” said Forbort after the team’s morning skate at Amerant Bank Arena. “That was my goal throughout the rehab, just do whatever I can to get back and help the fellas at any point along the way.”

Forbort is not a player that seeks the limelight. His humor, at least with reporters, is on the understated, dry side. And his game is of the no-frills variety – shot-blocking, penalty killing, taking a hit to make a breakout pass.

His presence on and off the ice is appreciated by his teammates, as is his most recent journey to get back in the lineup.

“He’s been working really hard behind ht scenes and, obviously, I’m not even sure what has been made public as far as what he has to deal with over the last month and a half, two months. So, to be vague, it was a lot, and it’s a huge testament to his character and his perseverance that he’s back here,” said Charlie McAvoy on Tuesday. “He’s been working really hard and he’s been no the ice for a while now. But it was kind of like starting from scratch. We knew that if we could keep doing our job, there’d be a good chance that he’d slot in. He’s a tremendous defensive defenseman. And here he is. He played great (in Game 1) and we’re going to rely on him a lot moving forward.. He’s an irreplaceable guy in the locker room from a team standpoint and he just has great character and a certain presence. He keeps things loose and fun.”

In hindsight, Forbort thought the original timeline was a little conservative.

“Yeah, maybe the docs put a big timeline on it just because they’re cautious with it but we’ve got great (physical therapists) here and there was some unconventional swimming stuff and a bunch of stuff like that. It really helped me get back a little sooner,” said Forbort.

The 32-year-old Forbort did play a couple of games for the Providence Bruins on a rehab assignment and that short time down there helped immensely.

“The coaches did a good job of doing a lot of little games after practice to try and get the conditioning back and the play-making,” said Forbort.

His review of his own work in Game 1?

“It was all right. A little rusty with a couple of things and there were a couple of long shifts where I got a little tired, but that will come back,” said Forbort.

“(The Panthers) have got a great forecheck. They dump a lot of pucks. We know they’re going to get some O-zone time, it’s just kind of (about) staying in our structure and weathering it. If we can make good breakouts, then we won’t spend as much time there.”

It’s going to be a tough series, especially for the defensemen who take the brunt of that forecheck. But there’s no other place Forbort would rather be. As many players who have their livelihood – and way of life – taken away from them for even a short time, Forbort came away with a greater appreciation for being a pro hockey player.

“The biggest rush is being around the guys,” he said. “It’s not fun being at home when they’re on the road, going to cool cities and you’re sitting at home doing rehab. It’s just being grateful for every day you get in this league with the guys.”…

Barring any surprises, it looks like there will be one lineup change with Jesper Boqvist going in for Patrick Brown. Coach Jim Montgomery said that Boqvist sitting out Game 1 health related.

Jeremy Swayman was also the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate, indicating he’d get his seventh consecutive start….

The B’s again did not have a great night in the faceoff circle in Game 1, winning just 41% of the draws. Brown, actually, was one of their best in the circle, winning 5-of-7. Montgomery was looking for a better effort all around.

“We’ve got to tie up more sticks and win it as a five-man unit,” said Montgomery. “Everybody’s got to help on the lines and dive in. We’ve got to have a little more faceoff intensity.”