The Boston Bruins set several regular season records with their tremendous play this season including the most wins (65) ever in a single season and the most points (135) in the standings in NHL history as well. The Bruins have a deep roster at every position, and are poised for a long playoff run that begins tonight when they host the Florida Panthers. Unfortunately, the Bruins will be without a key member of the team for Game 1.
Patrice Bergeron will miss the opening night of the playoffs, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. Bergeron is dealing with an illness that is going around the Bruins locker room, and was unable to suit up for the opening game of the playoffs. It is impossible to overstate Bergeron’s importance to the Bruins success as he is arguably the best defensive center in the league, and also scored 27 goals and 58 points in 78 games this season.
The Bruins are deep down the middle of the ice, and will move Pavel Zacha, who had 21 goals and 57 points this season to center on the top line. David Krejci scored 16 goals and 56 points in 70 games this season, Charlie Coyle and Tomas Nosek give the Bruins impressive depth down the middle even without their top center.
Bergeron left the Bruins final regular season game after playing just five minutes, though it was said to be for precautionary reasons. An illness would signal a shorter-term absence and nothing to worry about as the playoffs progress. But, the 37-year-old missed a little time late in the season with nagging injuries and left their final game quickly just four days ago.
While the Bruins just won more regular season games than anyone, getting Bergeron back at 100% in short order would go a long way toward them reaching their ultimate goal for this season.
Hall and Foligno were back on the ice tonight, and both looked pretty good.
Other than that horrific pass from Orlov that led to the only FLA goal, the B’s played well.