Nick Foligno was holding courtroom in entrance of his locker after the Bruins’ 6-2 demolition of the New York Islanders on Saturday when one in all his favourite topics – Patrice Bergeron – got here up.
At the beginning of his effusive reward for the captain, the savvy veteran determined to have just a little enjoyable.
“Can’t wait to see what next year brings,” stated Foligno with a mischievous grin.
Bergeron, after all, is on a one-year, team-friendly contract and, if he’s made his thoughts up about whether or not this season is his final or not, he has not made that public.
But if that is the “one last run” gamers and administration spoke about when the season started, Bergeron is making it rely. With a 42-8-5 document, the staff is on a historic tempo. On Saturday, he scored his twentieth aim of the 12 months, making it 10 years straight through which he’s had 20 or extra objectives. A document sixth Selke Award isn’t out of the query.
The aim he scored on Saturday was a bit fluky. It took a cool bounce off a stanchion and popped again over the web to him and he bunted it out of mid-air into an empty internet. But, in a approach, it was classic Bergeron, a state of affairs through which he appeared to be the one participant on he ice who was capable of monitor the place the puck was. Considering that is his nineteenth season of being in the proper place on the proper time, it’s an excellent guess that there was extra to that aim than luck.
“The gold standard” is how Foligno referred to his recreation.
“He’s the model of consistency in this league,” stated Foligno. “The way he gets it done on both sides of the puck, gets it done offensively, gets it done even more defensively. He’s a guy that I’ve admired a long time. All of us do. He plays the game the right way. That’s one of the best compliments you can get as a player. That’s a pretty goal he scored to get his 20th. That’s a sick goal. But it’s no surprise. He just does things the right way. He’s a guy that cares a lot about his craft, too, and there’s a reason he’s scored so many goals over so many years. I don’t think he’s slowing down any time soon.”
It was a play that didn’t present up on the scoresheet that bought the ball rolling, and one which helps to outline him as a lot because the aim he scored. It occurred on the B’s first energy play that resulted in Jake DeBrusk’s aim. A free puck went to the left boards and it appeared that Kyle Palmieri had an excellent probability to clear. But Bergeron merely lifted Palmieri’s stick whereas the Islander veteran may solely kick on the puck. It went to David Pastrnak, who made a terrific backhand go to Brad Marchand who in flip relayed it to DeBrusk for the gorgeous five-hole tuck.
“Everyone doesn’t realize how much he keeps plays alive,” stated coach Jim Montgomery. “If he’s not where he is, that puck’s cleared.”
Despite the clear crusing {that a} 42-8-5 document suggests, it hasn’t been what you’d name the simplest season for the 37-year-old Bergeron. In Thursday in Nashville, he snapped a six-game scoreless streak with a aim and an help. He’s additionally had some off nights within the faceoff circle currently. But he seemed like his previous self in opposition to the Preds, deftly executing a give-and-go with operating mate Marchand earlier than sniping a shot previous Juuse Saros.
Both he and Marchand seemed additional energized on Saturday with the return of DeBrusk to their line.
“He looked awesome, especially after missing 17 games,” stated Bergeron. “It’s not easy to come back after missing a long time. Kudos to him. He did the job on the ice and off the ice to make sure he was ready and he looked ready to go. I thought his legs were there. Obviously, getting that goal early I’m sure is helpful to get himself back. Yeah, it was nice to have him on our side.”
And as for his personal milestone?
“It’s nice,” stated Bergeron, with a little bit of a “meh” shrug. “I’m glad it went in, but that being said, you move on to the next one. I’m playing with some great players and obviously it’s been a special year in a lot of ways. I’m just thankful to be a part of it.” …
Loose pucks
For the second time in a row on Monday, the B’s shall be getting an opponent on the second half of a back-to-back because the Ottawa Senators had been enjoying the St. Louis Blues on Sunday. And in opposition to the out-of-the-playoffs Senators, the B’s want all the assistance they’ll get. The Sens are the one staff that owns two wins over the B’s.
On Sunday, the Sens moved Tyler Motte again to the Rangers for Julien Gauthier and a conditional seventh-round decide. Meanwhile, the B’s proceed to be linked to Columbus defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, who has been held out of the Blue Jackets lineup for trade-related causes. …
Pastrnak goes into Monday’s recreation in second place behind Connor McDavid in objectives with 39 however he’s bought only one in his final six video games, the massive time beyond regulation winner in Dallas that was scored at 4-on-4.
Source: www.bostonherald.com