Patrice Bergeron was a drive on the ice is his debut efficiency within the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Bergeron held nothing again over his 30 shifts, however his presence by itself was not sufficient to hold the day towards the Florida Panthers on Wednesday evening on the TD Garden. The Panthers fought off elimination and compelled a Game 6 with a 4-3 extra time victory.
“It was great to be out there of course, there is nothing like playoff hockey,” stated Bergeron. “To be able to contribute on the ice is satisfying and it was awesome to get back.”
The Bruins’ captain suffered an undisclosed higher physique harm within the season finale at Montreal and missed the primary 4 video games towards the Panthers.
Bergeron skated a full contact apply on Tuesday and was cleared to compete in his 168th playoff recreation with Boston, second most in staff historical past. Bergeron skated 19:03 minutes, 4:34 on the ability play, with six pictures on aim.
“Obviously I needed a few shifts to get back into the rhythm and obviously getting back into the playoffs,” stated Bergeron. “The pace was a little higher to get going.”
The Bruins took each matches at Florida with Bergeron on the mend. Bergeron wish to full a Florida hat trick when the Bruins face the Panthers on Friday evening at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Fla.
“We just have to go out there and to me, it is about sticking to who we are and how we want to play in Game 6,” stated Bergeron. “We have to remain in our construction and play the way in which need to play.
“Obviously we would like to take care of pucks and little bit better in our zone. You don’t want to give them freebies if you will. Our structure is something that has given us success. That being said, they are a very good team and they came in and did what they had to do.”
Bergeron opened the sport flanked by Tyler Bertuzzi and David Pastrnak, whereas Brad Marchand was paired with Charlie Coyle and Nick Foligno. He acquired an enormous ovation from the followers when he took the ice for his opening shift within the Bruins finish at 1:42 of the primary.
After the Bruins fell behind 1-0 on a giveaway aim by Panthers’ left wing Anthony Duclair, Bruins coach Jim Montgomery reunited the Perfection Line with 7:30 to play within the first. Bergeron opened the third interval paired with Marchand and Jake DeBrusk
“I thought he was good,” stated Montgomery. “I thought he made a lot of good defensive plays and he does what he does. He scored a big goal for us and just continued to build our team game.”
Bergeron discovered himself between the circles on the Bruins’ first energy play unit after Florida’s Sam Bennett obtained lugged to the cooler for holding 53 seconds into the center body. Marchand tied the sport 1-1 at 2:27 when he poked his personal rebound underneath the pads of Panthers’ goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. The tally was Marchand’s fourth of the collection and second on the ability play.
Panthers’ defenseman Aaron Ekblad had simply taken up residence within the bin when Bergeron tied the sport 2-2 at 4:27 of the third.
Bergeron gained the draw again to Charlie McAvoy on the precise level. McAvoy slid the puck over to Marchand, who one timed a slapper. Bergeron made the redirect to register his fiftieth postseason aim.
“I did the same things, the same routine and getting ready to get back and try help the guys,” stated Bergeron. “So, I’m excited to be back and be able to contribute.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com