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Patrice Bergeron could play in Game 5 of the playoff series against the Florida Panthers, according to Boston Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
SUNRISE, Fla. — Patrice Bergeron didn’t travel with the Bruins for Games 3 and 4 here but, according to coach Jim Montgomery, the Bruins captain could play in Game 5 when the series returns to Boston.
But the second part of the 1-2 punch came before game time. David Krejci participated in the morning skate and pregame warm-ups, but the team said it was an upper-body injury that caused the injury. Krejci missed the last 6 regular season games with a lower body injury and didn’t make much of a jump in the first two games.
Meanwhile, goaltender Linus Ullmark did not participate in the morning skate at Florida Live Arena, and Montgomery called it a “game-time decision” earlier in the day. But Ullmark took B out of the tunnel for heat and was between the pipes to start the game.
It was unclear what Ulmark’s case was. When asked if Ullmark was feeling the same lower back injury he suffered in the second-to-last game against Washington when Montgomery had to leave the game in the third period, he said, “I don’t think so, believe me, no.”
This is the playoffs, of course, so you have to take whatever a club has to say about a player who doesn’t have a jaundiced eye. When Bergeron left the game in Montreal, the club was quick to say it was for “precautionary” reasons. Friday’s game is now the third playoff game he has missed.
The Bruins decided to play all their regulars (minus Ullmark) for the final regular season game in Montreal, but Montgomery defended the decision, noting that Bergeron and other players were rested during the game. The last month of the season.
“Our point of view is there’s no doubt about what we’ve done, because we’ve made it clear with four weeks left in the regular season,” Montgomery said. “We talked to Sports Science. (GM Don Sweeney) and I talked about if we get a chance to rest people, we’ll rest them. And then we consulted with Bergy. And I think he missed (four) games. We wanted, and I wanted, and Bergey wanted to get into the rhythm of the playoffs in the last two games. Life happens. Unfortunately, he fixed something in the last game. Even with strength, we still do it the same way. It’s a well-thought-out plan, so it’s easier to move forward if you don’t regret what you’ve done.
Montgomery, speaking in French to a reporter in Quebec, said Bergeron’s injury could just as easily have happened at home as it could have happened in a game.
Grzelcyk came back
Matt Grzelcyk made his series debut and skated with Charlie McAvoy. Dmitriy Orlov dropped to the third pairing on the right, Derek Forbort with a Connor Clifton strike. Rookie Jacob Lacucco also made his debut.
All four front lines have changed.
“So you know how to make lottery balls? We throw them and I like how they come out,” Montgomery cracked. We feel like the lines will help us tonight.
One class had Brad Marchand skating with Charlie Coyle and Trent Frederick.
I think Trent is a player that has had a good regular season for us and has had moments in the playoffs where he’s been in the right spots, in tough spots and we’ve got to get more opportunities in those tough spots so let’s think it can happen. It’s a real tough line for us,” Montgomery said.
But when the game started, Jake DeBrusk was successful with Coyle and Marchand.
As for rookie Lauco coming in, Montgomery sees the jump he’ll give the team.
“If he’s going to play, it’s just going to be his speed. He scores free kicks, leaves defenders with good gaps as he has to respect his pace. If you try to have a narrow gap, he can grow for meetings,” Montgomery said. “That’s how he often issues penalties. And he’s very hard on pucks. He’s a really good crosser, hits well, creates changeups. Here’s his line of thinking if he gets the chance.
Scratched in the first two games, Grzelcyk is eager to get back in.
“It’s really hard to see. That way, you’re very stressed. I’d rather be part of the team, trying to make sure I stay and get back in,” Grzelcyk said.
Frederick shouted
Friedrich was decent at the end of Game 2 and the buzz carried over to the Garden. At the end of a dispute with Ryan Lomberg. According to Frederick, Lomberg was trying to cut off the air supply when the two players were fighting on the ice.
“I got a little choked up, maybe I panicked a little too early but, yeah, for a second the lights were almost going out. I’ve never seen that. He is what he is,” said Frederick.
How does he plan to handle his emotions in Game 3?
“Yeah, I just have to play hard. It gives me a little more motivation. I try not to react negatively to the group. Just play hard. And I think it will give me a little more fuel. “I’m very happy to play tonight, even more than usual,” Friedrich said.
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