NHL Playoffs 2011: Will Patrice Bergeron Be the Difference for the Bruins?
Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron is the “glue” that holds the team together in any situation, at both ends of the ice.
Not only is he a great passer and a smart player, he is extremely good at winning faceoffs and is a superb penalty killer.
When Bergeron was diagnosed with a mild concussion after being hit by Philadelphia Flyers forward Claude Giroux in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Bruins and their fans were praying that Bergeron would be able to play again this postseason.
The concussion was the third brain injury for Bergeron in the last four seasons. As a result, the injuries forced him to miss a lot of hockey games in that span.
With Bergeron back on the ice in Game 3 versus the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Bruins played a much better game defensively and did not allow a goal.
Now that Bergeron is healthy and showing no signs of lingering effects from his recent concussion, is he the difference for the Bruins in their quest toward the franchise’s first Stanley Cup championship since 1972?
Bergeron Is One of the NHL’s Best Faceoff Men
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In the NHL, winning faceoffs in the playoffs is extremely important. Many hockey coaches believe winning a faceoff while killing a penalty can take 15 seconds of the opposing team’s power play.
Conversely, winning a draw on a power play can set your team up with a good chance or two to score with the man-advantage.
In Game 3 there were 68 faceoffs. Bergeron took 28 of them and won 18. Bergeron won 64 percent of his draws, while the rest of the Bruins were barely over 50 percent in faceoffs, winning 19 of 37.
For team Canada in the 2010 Olympic games, Bergeron was a player who would take important faceoffs in clutch situations, and that’s a role he also plays for the Bruins. Bergeron does it better than most players in the league.
Bergeron Is an Exceptional Passer and Playmaker
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Patrice Bergeron is a very good passer, and his chemistry with linemates Mark Recchi and Brad Marchand helps the puck movement even more.
Bergeron won’t put up league-leading assist numbers, but he runs the Bruins' offense so well. When he’s on the ice, it’s easy to tell that the offense is more sound and fluid.
There are fewer turnovers, better entries into the offensive zone and a smoother flow within the team when Bergeron is one the ice.
Defensively, the Bruins Are Better with Bergeron in the Lineup
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The Bruins played terribly on defense in Games 1 and 2 of this series with the Lighting. They gave up five goals in each game, and if not for an offensive explosion in Game 2 by rookie Tyler Seguin, they would’ve been down 0-2 going into Tampa for Game 3.
Bergeron is a fabulous two-way player, and his defensive abilities in the neutral zone made it more difficult for the Lightning to enter the Bruins' defensive zone and set up their offense in Game 3.
Bergeron finishes his checks, gets back on defense after a broken play in the offensive end and is very smart; he’s rarely out of position.
In Game 3 the Bruins did not allow a goal, in part because goalie Tim Thomas played outstanding.
But Thomas didn’t have to stop as many great chances in Game 3 as he had to in Game 2, and part of that is he didn’t need to stop multiple breakaways.
Bergeron’s good defense in the neutral zone prevented the Lightning’s potent offense from creating breakaway chances from center ice.
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With Bergeron Back in the Lineup, Tyler Seguin Still Is Effective
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Bruins rookie forward Tyler Seguin was able to play in his first career playoff game in the series opener against the Lightning due to Bergeron’s recovery from his concussion.
Seguin proved he was ready to compete on the big stage by scoring six points in the first two games, with three goals and three assists. He scored an amazing four points, two goals and two assists, in the second period of Game 2.
With Bergeron returning to coach Claude Julien’s lineup in Game 3, Seguin’s play in the first two games ensured him he wouldn’t be a healthy scratch again like he was in the entire first two rounds.
Bruins veteran Shawn Thornton was ultimately scratched for Game 3 to allow Seguin to remain in the lineup.
Seguin played well in Game 3, and even though he played less time than he did in Game 2, he was still effective.
His speed and energy caused problems for the Tampa Bay defense all night, and he was being physical and went into corners to win the puck against bigger defenseman.
Seguin was also on the ice for Andrew Ference’s goal, which made the game 2-0 in Boston’s favor.
Julien was smart to keep Seguin in the lineup despite Bergeron’s return, and going forward, both of them will play major roles in the Bruins' quest to get to and win the Stanley Cup.
Series Prediction with Bergeron Healthy
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Down 2-1 with Game 4 on their home ice Saturday afternoon, Tampa has to win the game if they want to win this series and advance to the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2004 when they were champions.
With Bergeron in the lineup, the Bruins looked sharper and more confident on both ends of the ice.
He also helped kill penalties and eliminate the large threat that is the Lightning power play.
Bergeron solidifies the Bruins' second offensive line with his passing and scoring and is a team leader on the ice and on the bench.
Despite being just 25 years old, Bergeron is a very experienced player who brings a tremendous all-around skill-set to Boston.
The Lightning must find a way to beat Tim Thomas and create quality offensive chances because with Bergeron in the lineup, the Bruins are going to score more goals and be better in preventing them as well.
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