Bergeron set to Return

The Boston Bruins received some incredible news yesterday regarding Patrice Bergeron, arguably the team’s best player. Bergeron has been sidelined since an April 2^nd victory over Ottawa. He was awkwardly struck in the head by a Colin Greening elbow while bearing down on a back check. Patrice left the game and did not return. He was diagnosed with a “mild concussion.”

The team’s doctors medically cleared Bergeron for a return to game action. When the news broke just after the B’s morning skate, the entire Boston organization, fans, and Patrice himself, exhaled in unison. At only 27 years of age and already a victim to four concussions, things looked bleak for the 2012 Selke winner.

Miraculously, Bergeron only sat out a modest seven games this time around. Under the supervision of the astute Boston training staff, his road to recovery saw steady improvements each day. Bergeron spoke about the news, saying “I want to get back out there, I feel good, feel confident-we're taking time and there's a reason for that, so I'm not hesitant and feel good.”

The center man’s presence in the Boston lineup is vitally important to the success of the club. In his absence the Bruins struggled offensively, showing little chemistry as a group. Claude Julien was forced to shuffle his lines and nothing seemed to work. Bergeron brings stability, dependability, and an unrivaled hockey sense.

Ultimately the final ruling as to when Bergeron actually plays is up to the coaching and training staff.  Patrice is on record saying he’s “ready to go” and that he felt he could play. It still remains to be seen as to when he will actually be re-inserted. Though from the looks of things over on Causeway, Bergy will most likely skate in the B’s next game.

Patrice was slotted alongside Milan Lucic and Tyler Seguin in the AM skate. Carl Soderberg is scheduled to join Boston on Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest. He projects to slide in somewhere within the bottom nine forwards. As the playoffs near, things are beginning to shape up for the Black-and-Gold.

Game 42: Bruins vs. Senators Preview

Boston Bruins: 26-11-4 Ottawa Senators: 21-14-6

The Boston Bruins will play host to the Ottawa Senators Monday night at TD Garden. It will be the fifth and final time these two squads will meet this season. After beating the Senators in each of the previous four meetings, the B’s will be looking for the clean sweep of their divisional rival.

The Black-and-Gold have had a stranglehold on the Sens, winning 14 of their last 15 head to head matchups. This game comes at a perfect time for the Bruins, as they hope to avoid three straight losses. Boston has not dropped three consecutive games yet this season, largely due to their uncanny ability to bounce back when facing adverse situations.

Since losing to Boston, 3-2, back on April 2, Ottawa has been defeated in three of their last five contests. Once hot the heels of the Bruins, the Senators have since fallen behind. They now trail the B’s by 8 points in the standings and are fighting for their playoff lives.

Tyler Seguin has registered a goal in each of his last three games. Seguin scored his last time out against Ottawa and will look to continue his hot streak. Milan Lucic is another player to watch. The bruising winger had been under a lot of scrutiny for his lack of production. Lucic potted his sixth goal Saturday, snapping a nine game scoreless drought in a 4-2 loss at Carolina. Like Seguin, Lucic has had recent success against the Sens, picking up two assists in the same tilt. Jaromir Jagr (points in 4 straight games) and Gregory Campell (points in 3 of 4 games) are also hopeful to continue their recent successful runs.

Ottawa is a club that will be playing with great desperation. Their recent slide has put them in a difficult predicament and winning is really a must from here on out. Senator captain Daniel Alfredsson is always up for the big games and will certainly have has teammates ready to go. Craig Anderson will likely be in net for the Sens. He has yet to face Boston this season and is a ghastly 1-7 (4.20 GAA) in his last eight tries facing them.

The likelihood of either team’s offense playing a prominent role in this game is slim. Each of Boston’s four victories over Ottawa has been by one goal.  One game required overtime and another a shootout. The most goals posted in the season series have been three, done twice by Boston. Tuukka Rask is a logical choice to start in net for the B’s. He has shown little trouble in facing the Sens, beating them in each of his four career starts.

A victory for Boston will lock up a playoff spot and put them in a position to leapfrog the Canadiens pending the result of their game against the Flyers. Patrice Bergeron is close to making a return to the lineup and Swedish phenom Carl Soderberg will be joining the club come Tuesday. The pieces seem to falling into place for the B’s just as they approach postseason play. Picking up a win would serve as an important building block with only six games remaining after Monday.

Projected line combinations:

Paille-Krejci-Horton

Lucic-Campel-Jagr

Caron-Kelly-Seguin

Daugavins-Peverley-Thornton

Hamilton-Chara

Ference-Seidenberg

Bartkowski-Boychuk

Rask/Khudobin