Boston Bruins: Three straight multi-goal games for Patrice Bergeron

Patrice Bergeron took care of the offense for the Boston Bruins last night with two goals against the Buffalo Sabres.

The Boston Bruins started their post-holiday-break schedule with a 3-0 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Jaroslav Halak was the player of the game with a 26-save shutout, and Patrice Bergeron handled the offense with two goals.

Bergeron scores two goals for the Bruins against the Sabres

Bergeron opened the scoring late in the first period on the power play. He occupied his usual bumper position and redirected a David Pastrnak pass into an open net.

Bergeron didn’t have to do a ton of work here, as Pastrnak sold shot to open up the passing lane and freeze goalie Linus Ullmark. Nonetheless, the goal shows how valuable Bergeron is in his position on the power play.

The Bruins maintained a one-goal lead in the second period, and then Bergeron found the back of the net again to extend the lead to two. This goal came off a dazzling passing play from the top line.

The Bruins created a turnover, then Bergeron, Pastrnak, and Brad Marchand combined for what we call a “tic-tac-toe” goal. Again, because of a great Marchand feed, all Bergeron had to do was direct the puck into an open net.

The end result looks so simple given the wide open net, but this play epitomizes Boston’s top line. Bergeron, Marchand, and Pastrnak are simple unstoppable at times.

Bergeron scored two goals in three straight games for the Bruins

Bergeron’s two-goal effort against the Sabres was the third game in a row he scored twice for the Bruins. He had two in the overtime loss to the Predators and two in the win over Washington.

In each game, Bergeron recorded a power play goal. His play on the man advantage is a big reason why Boston’s power play turn things around after a cold stretch.

According to the NHL, Bergeron is only the fifth Bruins player in history to have three straight multi-goal games. The last player to do this was Cam Neely in the 1988-1989 season.

That’s an exclusive list that Bergeron joined last night. In fact, three of those players are in the Hockey Hall of Fame and have their numbers retired in Boston.

Sooner rather than later, Bergeron too will join the Hall of Fame and Boston’s rafters. For now, he’ll continue to make players, score goals, and lead the Bruins’ top line.