Friends help cap off Bergy’s grand week

It’s been a heck of a week for Patrice Bergeron, and even that might be an understatement.

The Bruins center played in his 1,000th career game on Tuesday night in a win over the Islanders, scoring two goals. He netted another goal in the B’s shootout loss to the Rangers in New York on Wednesday.

Yesterday against the Los Angeles Kings, after he was honored with a pregame ceremony commemorating his grand achievement, he scored the game-winner in overtime.

At this point, the Bruins expect nothing less.

“The legend continues,” said linemate Brad Marchand. “It’s great to see him have the game that he had. It was a great ceremony to start and he deserves all the recognition that he’s been getting and has gotten over the last few years. So, he’s an incredible player, teammate, friend, and family man, so it was great that he had the night that he did.”

Bergeron finished the game with the goal and two assists for a three-point afternoon, and helped extend the Bruins point streak to six consecutive games.

A congratulatory video was played at the Garden before the game featuring a number of former teammates — including Marco Sturm, Mark Recchi, Johnny Boychuk and Adam McQuaid — along with NHL stars and former coaches and current members of the Bruins organization.

“Had to look away a few times,” Bergeron said. “It was pretty special to hear from all these guys. Like I said to me winning and the friendships I’ve made over the years are what is most important and that was really special.”

With 20 goals this season, Bergeron is well on his way to eclipsing his 30 from a year ago, even after missing 16 games with a rib injury.

While a lack of secondary scoring continuing to be an issue for the Bruins, he’s stepped up whenever he’s had to. Yesterday’s game was important after the B’s blew a two-goal lead in New York three nights before, and Bergeron helped them respond.

“Every time there is a big game, he shows up and he is leading the way.” David Krejci said.

McAvoy gets going

It’s been an up-and-down season for Charlie McAvoy. The puck-moving defenseman scored for the first time since Oct. 13, pinching up and potting a Bergeron pass to give the B’s a 1-0 lead in the second period against the Kings.

Overall he played one of his better contests since dealing with his injuries; first a concussion, then an infected foot after blocking a shot at the end of December.

“With Charlie, it’s a little bit more about when to go and when not to and to shoot the puck,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said. “Now, he didn’t have to shoot his goal very far, about two feet, but I thought there were some other decisions he made that were good. On the (Danton) Heinen goal, he could’ve shot originally but if you look at it that lane was clogged pretty good. He made a good decision to get around and then get it to the net.”

Halak time

Jaroslav Halak will get the start in net this afternoon against the Colorado Avalanche after Tuukka Rask’s 25-save performance yesterday.

Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk is expected to miss his second straight game with a lower-body injury.