If you want to observe a microcosm of Patrice Bergeron’s career, look no further than midway through the third period of the Boston Bruins’ 5-2 win over the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night at TD Garden.

A four-time Selke Trophy winner as the NHL’s best defensive forward, Bergeron generated Boston’s fourth goal of the evening from the defensive zone – blocking a shot from Calgary forward Michael Frolik, gathering the loose puck and starting Boston’s counter rush into the Flames’ zone.

Camped out by the crease, Bergeron put himself in perfect position and deflected a Brad Marchand shot past Flames goalie David Rittich for his second goal of the night and his 27th of the season.

“It was one of those plays where I’m just trying to make myself big and you always try to take care of the D-zone first, and then you can think offense,” Bergeron said. “So … my first instinct on that was try to defend the slot and the shot and get it away from danger, and after that, I realized that we had an odd-man rush, and obviously after that we were able to sustain some pressure and eventually get the goal, so that was great.”

The veteran forward has been a catalyst during a dominant run for the Bruins, anchoring arguably the top line in hockey and elevating his game to another level this season.

Of course, the two-way forward has been as advertised when it comes to his 200-foot-game this season, but Bergeron’s increased scoring output and Boston’s surge up the standings has started to put the 32-year-old center in the conversation for the Hart Trophy – given to the NHL MVP.

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Bergeron is on pace to shatter his career high of 32 goals. He leads the Bruins and ranks 10th in the NHL with his 27 goals, with 27 games remaining in the regular season.

Over the last two months, Bergeron has been a thorn in the side of opposing defenses, scoring 17 goals in his last 19 games, highlighted by a four-goal performance against the Hurricanes (Jan. 6) and a hat trick against the Islanders (Jan. 19).

“It’s hard to really compare from one year to another, I think,” Bergeron said when asked if this has been the most productive season of his career.

“I’m going out there and I’m trying to help my team every night and trying to push myself like I mentioned and be better. I think my linemates and my teammates are pushing me to do that and I need to carry that on, I guess.”

Not only is Bergeron scoring goals at an insane pace, but they’re also putting his team ahead for good. So far this season, Bergeron has tallied five game-winning goals – the most on the Bruins and fourth in the NHL.

Bergeron gave Boston a lead that it did not relinquish Tuesday, scoring just 1:15 in the third off a deadly snap shot during a power play to give the Bruins a 3-2 advantage.

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“He’s been doing it for years, so there’s no surprise there,” Bruins Coach Bruce Cassidy said of Bergeron’s clutch play. “Good timing this year. Bergy is hot. He’s a shooter this year, and it’s finding the back of the net, so good for him. … Bergy, from that area of the ice, he’s lights out this year and getting rewarded for hitting the net, first of all, and putting it in a tough spot for the goalie to handle.”

Given his increased scoring totals, dominant all-around game and role as one of the key cogs on a potential Stanley Cup contender, Bergeron seems to be building a pretty good case to become the first Bruins player to win the Hart Trophy since Phil Esposito in 1973.

Just don’t tell Bergeron about it.

No,” Bergeron said when asked about potentially adding a Hart to his growing trophy cabinet. “It’s not something – it’s really something that I feel we’re in a team game and that’s all I’m worried about right now. It’s about staying focused, stay in the moment, it’s all about keep pushing ourselves to be a better team and nothing about the other stuff.”


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