Patrice Bergeron Provides Additional Threat in Bruins’ Suddenly Dynamic Offense

Opposing teams should be concerned with having their hands full now that Marc Savard has returned to the Bruins’ lineup after breaking his foot. But teams also will have to worry about Patrice Bergeron, who is emerging as a dangerous scoring threat for the Black and Gold.

The Blues had no answer for Bergeron and his four assists in the B’s 4-2 win on Monday night, giving Boston its longest winning streak of the season. Boston has won three straight on the road, each game in a tough building against a quality opponent. And Bergeron has been the difference maker in all three games.

Bergeron tallied the shootout winner in Atlanta, the overtime game-winning goal in Buffalo and had four helpers in St. Louis. The four assists were the most scored by No. 37 since he had five in a game back on Dec. 19, 2006. He is back to his pre-concussion form, and he’s making significant improvements with each and every game that he plays.

Bergeron orchestrated the special teams on Monday to the tune of two power-play goals from Mark Recchi and Blake Wheeler, and a shorthanded tally in the third from Marco Sturm. And if you were hoping for an overly excited Bruins center in his postgame interviews, then you haven’t been watching.

As humble as ever, Bergeron acknowledged the team’s strong play against the Blues, while emphasizing the importance of this kind of play going forward.

“It was a good night,” Bergeron said. “It’s all about the wins. We still have a ways to go. We’re going to get better, but it’s a good thing to keep improving.

“This is the first time this year we’ve been able to put together three wins. Now we’ve got to carry that into Minnesota.”

At just 24 years of age, Bergeron is in his sixth season with the Bruins, and his maturity would have many mistaking him for a seasoned veteran. The triumph and tragedy that Bergeron has experienced in his career to this point is more than what many players will ever know.

A season-ending concussion 10 games into the 2007-2008 season set Bergeron back in his NHL career. But in the absence of two of his most dangerous offensive teammates this year, Bergeron is doing his part to make up for lost time. And thankfully, the Bruins have leaned on him when they needed it most.

Now Bergeron can take a lot of that pressure off himself and just play his game. The type of game we saw on Monday night.