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Boston Bruins: Patrice Bergeron finding offense at the right time

By Cameron Burgess

COLUMBUS, OH - MAY 02: Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the Stanley Cup Eastern Conference semifinal playoff game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Boston Bruins on May 02, 2019 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - MAY 02: Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the Stanley Cup Eastern Conference semifinal playoff game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Boston Bruins on May 02, 2019 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Boston Bruins top line of Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron was arguably the best line in the NHL this season.

All three players scored at least 30 goals, and averaged over a point per game for the Boston Bruins, while David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron both missed significant time due to injuries. Meanwhile, Brad Marchand reached the 100-point milestone for the first time in his career, helping to shed his reputation as a pest (for the most part).

Despite the success that the ‘Perfection Line’ found during the regular season, they have struggled to replicate that same level of play during the playoffs. Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy opted to split up the top line in the first round against the Toronto Maple Leafs in order to create some more depth in the lineup.

The trio would get a shift together every once in a while, but when given the opportunity they struggled to get back on the same page.

Game 4 in Columbus on Thursday night could prove to be the game that gets the Bruins rolling once again, thanks in large part to Patrice Bergeron. His first goal turned out to be the game-winner and his second goal late in the third period sealed the win for the Bruins.

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Bergeron’s goals not only had a big impact on Game 4, but on the entire series. Through the first three games, Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky has been nearly unbeatable. Scoring four times on him in Game 4 should prove to the Boston Bruins that he can be beaten, and give them confidence moving forward.

While the offensive numbers have been hot and cold from Patrice Bergeron, the one area where he has been consistent is in the face-off circle. He has been among the best centermen the entire post-season, evident by his face-off percentage of 63.8 percent.

The only area of the game where Bergeron has been lacking was on the scoresheet, but Game 4 seems to be a sign that things are heading in the right direction not only for Bergy, but for the entire Boston Bruins first line.

Bergeron wasn’t the only player to get back on track in Game 4. Pastrnak scored the first goal of the game, but had a few ugly turnovers as well, leading to speculation that he might be playing injured. Whether he is or not remains to be seen, and more than likely won’t become public knowledge until after the Bruins’ postseason comes to an end. In the meantime, Pastrnak has said that he is just trying to do what he can to improve and help the Boston Bruins win.

The Bruins have relied on their top line all season long and they’ll need to rely on that line going forward for the Bruins to have their best shot at winning the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2011.

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If Game 4 is any indication of what is to come, the Bruins look to be in pretty good shape moving forward.

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