Boston Bruins: Patrice Bergeron and 4 Key Players for the 2011-12 Season

Unlike many other top teams, the Bruins didn't have one or two go-to guys that were counted on to put up big numbers last season. Instead, they relied on a strong team effort that involved everyone pulling their own weight and competing at a high level night in and night out. 

Boston won by committee and made effective use of a playing system that held everyone equally accountable, rather than going the route of the Washington Capitals and expecting Alexander Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green to carry the team on their backs or the Philadelphia Flyers, who hoped that their strong defense corps would cover up their shaky goaltending. 

Every hockey fan knows that depth is a crucial component to a successful hockey club, particularly during the playoffs, and the Bruins iced one of the league's deepest squads last year. 

With that said, it is also important that a team has a group of core players capable of picking up the slack and elevating their game when their club is in need. 

Fortunately, the Stanley Cup champs managed to keep their core intact this offseason and are poised to make yet another deep run into the playoffs. 

Here are five core players, from up and down the depth chart, who will play key roles on the team this year and act as the catalysts of the Bruins' collective team effort. 

Zdeno Chara

A towering two-way defenseman and perennial All-Star, Zdeno Chara is a dominant force on both ends of the rink. He has put together two 50-point seasons to go along with three 40-point campaigns in five years with the Bruins, all while playing a shut-down and penalty-killing role. 

Chara is Boston's top defenseman and undisputed leader. Easily one of the most consistent players in the game, he rarely misses a match and always elevates his play when the stakes are high.

The Czechoslovakian rearguard will be a major contributor to the success of his team this season and is, without a doubt, an extremely important piece of the Bruins' core. 

Milan Lucic

Just four seasons into his career in the NHL, Milan Lucic has already established himself as a top-flight power forward. The gritty winger netted 30 goals and added 32 assists in 79 games last season and registered 12 points during Boston's playoff run.

Always willing to drop the gloves and defend his teammates, he is a heart and soul player who can contribute in a variety of ways.

Lucic quickly earned himself a spot on the first line with David Krejci and Nathan Horton and is expected to play on that line again this year. Expect to see him improve on last season's 62 points while remaining an imposing physical presence, cementing his position as one of Boston's most versatile forwards and best bruiser. 

Tim Thomas

Tim Thomas was deemed last season's playoff MVP after posting a .940 save percentage, a 1.98 goals- against average and four shutouts in 25 playoff games en route to a Stanley Cup championship title.

At 37 years old, Thomas is a late bloomer who didn't earn himself a full-time job in the NHL until 2006. Fortunately for the Bruins, he has been among the league's top goalies ever since. 

Without the consistently stellar play of their veteran netminder, Boston wouldn't have made it as far as they did, and though they have a terrific young backup in Tuukka Rask, the Bruins are hoping that age continues to not be an issue for Thomas, who is a highly respected leader in their locker room and a key to their success. 

Tyler Seguin

Drafted second overall in the 2010 entry draft, Tyler Seguin made an immediate jump from junior hockey to the NHL last season and suited up for 74 games with the Bruins, scoring 11 goals and adding 11 helpers for 22 points.

He played limited minutes in primarily a bottom-six role due to Boston's offensive depth, but now appears poised to take on the third-line center position and see some special teams time this year.

Seguin was a prolific scorer at the junior level, where he displayed terrific hockey sense and an incredible two-way game. Some of that scoring ability was put to use in last year's playoffs when he registered seven points in 13 games. 

Don't be shocked to see Seguin break out this season and be a big-time contributor on both ends of the rink. He has been dominant throughout the preseason and has all the tools needed to be an elite pivot at the NHL level. 

Patrice Bergeron

A fierce competitor and highly respected leader on and off the ice, Patrice Bergeron plays a relentless two-way game that has earned him recognition as Boston's most versatile player. 

He centers the second line and plays in all situations as a tenacious penalty-killer and a serious scoring threat. 

Just like teammates Zdeno Chara and Tim Thomas, Bergeron has established himself as a big-game player who rises to the occasion when it matters most. He put up 11 points in 13 playoff games in 2009-10 and registered 20 points for the Bruins during last year's playoffs. 

No team can enjoy success without players who will consistently put forth their best effort and motivate the players around him to do the same. Patrice Bergeron does exactly that on a nightly basis for the Bruins.