Barring a last-minute change, Patrice Bergeron looks good to go for Saturday’s Game 5 between the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Bruins center missed his team’s Game 4 victory Thursday with an upper-body injury, but skated with the team Friday morning. After the Bruins’ morning skate Saturday, head coach Bruce Cassidy said the team “anticipates” Bergeron will play in the potential series-clinching game at TD Garden.
Bruce Cassidy on Patrice Bergeron: “Looked good this morning, I anticipate he’ll play. We’ll make final decision after warmup. Looking good.”
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 21, 2018
That’s great news for the Black and Gold.
If Bergeron indeed plays, Saturday’s morning rushes likely indicate the Bruins’ lineup for Game 5.
#NHLBruins morning rushes:
Marchand – Bergeron – Pastrnak
DeBrusk – Krejci – Rick Nash
Heinen – Riley Nash – Backes
Schaller – Kuraly – AcciariChara – McAvoy
Krug – McQuaid
Grzelcyk – MillerRask
Khudobin— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 21, 2018
Here’s a clip of Bergeron skating Saturday morning at Warrior Ice Arena:
3️⃣7️⃣ is present for pregame skate. pic.twitter.com/1NmIdoVRtz
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 21, 2018
The Bruins, as they’ve done all season, used their next-man-up mentality to down the Leafs in Game 4. Although the team still plays well without Bergeron in the lineup, their chances of winning the first-round series with Toronto are much greater with the Selke Trophy finalist on the ice.
Puck drop in Game 5 is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
