Boston Bruins: Who steps up with Patrice Bergeron sidelined
By Sam Minton
The Boston Bruins are going to be without one of their top goal scorers for a few weeks. In turn, the Bruins will be able to show off the players they acquired at the trade deadline for this exact scenario.
Well, this isn’t the news that Boston Bruins fans were looking to hear.
The Bruins announced Tuesday that Patrice Bergeron is going to be out for two weeks with a fractured foot. GM Don Sweeney said that at that point Bergeron will be reevaluated and hopefully will come back to the team.
The injury occurred when Patrice Bergeron gave up his body and blocked a shot during Friday nights game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. This is a big loss for the Bruins as Bergeron was having an MVP-like season. He was the sparkplug of this team and someone who Bruce Cassidy could rely on. The Bruins will miss Bergeron’s great 200′ play as well as his special team’s skills.
Cassidy on Patrice Bergeron’s absence: “Obviously it’s going to hurt.” Riley Nash will be No. 1 center. David Backes is PP bumper.
— Fluto Shinzawa (@FlutoShinzawa) February 27, 2018
This is a good chance for Riley Nash to play with some high-level wingers in Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak.
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He is already having one of the best seasons of his career tying his career high in goals in a season as well as surpassing his career high in assists and points. With Marchand and Pastrnak by his side, I expect Nash to slide in smoothly as he will be looking to feed Marchand and Pastrnak with plenty of pucks.
Why Wingels is here
With Bergeron being out we will also see Tommy Wingels replacing Riley Nash on the third line. This is the exact reason Wingels was brought to Boston. Bruins fans were hoping it wouldn’t happen but with Bergeron’s injury it will be the perfect test.
Per Cassidy, Tommy Wingels will play with David Backes and Danton Heinen tonight. Brian Gionta will be a scratch. #NHLBruins
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 27, 2018
I think Wingels skating with David Backes will be interesting to watch as they are both some big skaters. Wingels stands at 6′ and weighs 200 pounds and Backes is 6’3″ 221 pounds. They both may be able to open up the ice and give Danton Heinen some nice scoring opportunities.
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The Boston Bruins have lost their last two games. If they want to ensure they stay near the top of the Eastern Conference they are going to need to get back to their winning ways. They look to do just that when they play the Carolina Hurricanes tonight at the TD Garden.