BOSTON — Never one to get too far ahead of himself, Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said that Patrice Bergeron still needed to “check some boxes” before he could declare that his captain is a go for Wednesday’s Game 5. But all indications from Tuesday’s practice say that Bergeron will enter the playoff fray as the B’s try to close out the Florida Panthers at TD Garden.
Bergeron, who has not played a game or even practiced with the team since leaving Game 82 with an upper body injury, hit the sheet at Warrior Ice Arena in a regular jersey and was a full participant, manning the bumper on the first power play unit and then leading the post-practice stretch.
Bergeron himself gave a tentative thumbs-up after his first team practice in almost two weeks.
“Today’s a good day and we’ll see (Wednesday) how I feel,” Bergeron said. “I’m not anticipating any setbacks. So far, so good.”
Asked if he felt like he has put this injury behind him or it’s something that he’ll have to manage throughout the post-season, Bergeron said, “That’s a good question. It’s one of those things where you try to get back as quickly as possible but at the same time you try to be smart about it. The training staff has done a tremendous job. So I don’t know. I’m just taking it day by day.”
Bergeron left the April 13 game in Montreal after the first period with what the club termed an upper body injury. As the injury forced the captain miss playoff games, the club has come under criticism for letting Bergeron play in that game. While it was hoped it would be a special night for Bergeron playing what might be his final game in his home province, he said that played no part in him suiting up.
“It’s frustrating. It is,” Bergeron said. “At the same time, you have no control over it. … There is a plan in place. I’ve missed four games (in the final month) to heal some of the stuff, some of the bumps and bruises of the year and Monty has discussed about what he wanted for the last week. He wanted the full lineup to be against Washington and Montreal. It’s a coincidence that it was Montreal as the last game. If it would have been any other team, I would have been in the lineup, as everyone else was in the lineup for that game, as you saw. It’s unfortunate, but that could have happened the week before or last week.”
Bergeron has tried to stay as involved with the team as possible while being out. He was in the locker room for the home games and even texted assistant coach Chris Kelly with some strategic thoughts when the series shifted to Florida and he stayed behind to receive his treatment.
“It was definitely different,” Bergeron said. “I felt like it was a little more nerve-wracking than when you’re on the ice or on the bench where you can do something about it. You feel a little more. … I don’t know if helpless is the right word but you’d like to be out here and help the guys a little bit more. I texted when I saw a few things. I don’t know if that did anything or not. But I was cheering and screaming at the TV.”
There were some interesting lines in practice. While Montgomery would not commit to them, the top line had Bergeron centering Tyler Bertuzzi and David Pastrnak. Meanwhile, Brad Marchand skated with Charlie Coyle and Nick Foligno skating on this off side. If Montgomery sticks with those lines, it would be the first time that a healthy Bergeron and Marchand did not skate on the same line in the playoffs since they were put together in the Stanley Cup season of 2010-11.
“It was for me to look at lines. I know what Marchie and Bergy look like. I don’t know if that’s going to be our lines,” Montgomery said. “Like I said to Marchie, the toughest part would be if I said ‘Bergeron’s line’s up,’ we may get too many men if you’re not on his line.”
But Bergeron said he’s ready to play with anyone.
“I’ve said it a million times. I have so much respect and so much chemistry with Brad. But with that being said, I can play with anyone,” Bergeron said. “The guys have so much talent that whoever is on my left side or my right side on this team it doesn’t really matter. The depth is there and you have to do your job. That’s what it’s all about, bringing whatever you can bring to the table no matter who’s alongside of you.”
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Linus Ullmark said that it was indeed the first time he’s ever dropped his gloves in anticipation of a fight when he did so late in the Game 4 win. The officials never did let him get at Matthew Tkachuk and it sounded like Ullmark is not going to make it a regular thing.
What pushed him over the edge?
“It’s hard to say. Things happen so fast and so quickly and you have everyone trying to stick up for each other and I tried to do the same at the end as well,” Ullmark said. “But it’s not something that I’m actually seeking out, especially late in a game. If it was a 3-2 game, I wouldn’t have done anything. At 5-2, it was a little different feeling to it. … If you’re up 5-2, there’s no need for stupid stuff like that. If it’s a 3-2 game, you definitely don’t want to (give) power plays to the opposition.”
Ullmark said the reaction from his teammates has been, “Mostly positive. There was probably a lot of surprise as well. Obviously it’s the first time I’ve ever dropped the gloves in my career. My job is to stop pucks and not do stuff like that, obviously, so I think that’s where most of the surprise came from.”
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David Krejci, believed to be battling an arm or elbow injury, skated for about 20 minutes prior to practice, mostly without a puck. Montgomery said he’s “progressing well” but will not be available for Game 5. He didn’t rule him out for anything after that.
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While Montgomery said the lines weren’t set in stone, Trent Frederic was not on any of the four lines in practice.
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Florida coach Paul Maurice said that defenseman Aaron Ekblad and forward Anthony Duclair, who both missed Game 4, are good to go for Game 5. But forwards Sam Bennett and Ryan Lomberg did not practice. Maurice said that one of those players will definitely be in while the other will be a game-time decision. Bennett missed Game 1 with an injury that kept him out of the last 12 regular-season games. He did not specify which was which.
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