Depth charges to rescue
Bergeron confident in Nash as substitute
Patrice Bergeron needed medical clearance to resume his duties on the Bruins first line prior to last night’s Game 5 against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Garden.
Bergeron was a lastminute scratch with an undisclosed ailment before Thursday’s Game 4, which the Bruins managed to win, 3-1, at the Air Canada Centre.
“It was a gametime decision and the doctors thought it was better I (miss) that game,” said Bergeron yesterday morning at Warrior Ice Arena.
“It speaks a lot to the depth we have and guys ready to step up. It is something we have been through many times this year, so I was confident but at the same time was more nervous not playing the game than playing.”
He participated in the team’s pregame skate and claimed to be healthy enough to resume his place between Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak and on the power play and penalty kill.
“I feel good and hopefully it stays like that and I’ll see what happens when I talk to the medical staff when I get to the (Garden) rink,” said Bergeron.
Bergeron and Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy were able to err on the side of caution with Bergeron in Game 4 because Riley Nash
is an adequate substitute.
Nash filled in when Bergeron was out 15 games with a fractured foot. Nash was expected to return to third line with Danton Heinen and David Backes
last night depending on Bergeron’s evaluation.
“(Nash) was great and that being said I wasn’t surprised,” said Bergeron “He’s a great player and playing tremendous hockey all year for us and he’s been playing really well in the playoffs.
“I think Brad and David are familiar with him.”
DeBrusk settles in
Bruins left winger Jake DeBrusk has grown more assertive in his role on the team’s second line with David Krejci and Rick Nash.
DeBrusk played a more passive role at the start of the season, often deferring to Krejci and right winger Ryan Spooner. Nash was acquired from the Rangers in a trade that involved Spooner in February.
Nash missed the last 12 games of the regular season and his slot was filled by either rookie Ryan Donato or veteran Brian Gionta. The fluid situation on the second line allowed DeBrusk to fully utilize Krejci’s abilities as a playmaker.
“I think the time we spent together we developed chemistry,” said DeBrusk. “I’m trying to use my speed and game to try and get more pucks and get more pucks deep and it’s working for me and Krejci is obviously a great distributor.”
Moves on blue line
Cassidy shifted his second and third defensive units to create favorable match up against the Leafs in Toronto. He made the decision to play rugged defenseman Adam McQuaid
with breakout artist Torey Krug and put Kevan Miller
with Matt Grzelcyk.
While he is comfortable switching Miller and McQuaid up or down with confidence, the coach never expects to pair Grzelcyk with Krug because of their similar styles.