Bergeron Scores Twice, Bruins Beat Flames 5-2 At TD Garden
The Bruins needed a rebound after a sloppy couple of games. And after another shaky period against the Calgary Flames, they finally got it.
Patrice Bergeron scored two goals, including the eventual game-winner, as the B’s blew away the Calgary Flames 5-2 at TD Garden on Tuesday. Bergeron’s first score came in the third period, his 26th of the season, off a pinpoint up-ice feed from Torey Krug through the neutral zone. He later added his 27th goal on a redirect from a Brad Marchand slap shot in front of Flames goalie David Rittich.
Bergeron has now scored 17 goals in his last 19 games and is up to 51 points in 50 games. His latest superlative performance could continue to draw him Hart Trophy chatter for the NHL’s most valuable player award.
The Bruins took an early 1-0 lead on Riley Nash’s ninth goal of the season just 28 seconds into the game. But the Flames quickly answered with a Sam Bennett goal at 2:03 and a tally by the dangerous Johnny Gaudreau after he tucked in a rebound off the pads of Tuukka Rask.
Nash tied the game 2-2 as the Bruins tightened up their game in the second period. Head coach Bruce Cassidy notably shook up his lines, moving David Backes up to right wing on the Bergeron line to match him up with burly Flames winger Matthew Tkachuk. He switched with David Pastrnak, who shifted to Backes’ usual spot with Nash and Danton Heinen. The coach also played the fourth line of Sean Kuraly, Tim Schaller, and Noel Acciari against the Flames’ top line.
The adjustments certainly paid off, as the Bruins controlled much of the action from the start of the second period on. Zdeno Chara buried the final dagger into the empty net from essentially the entire length of the ice:
The Bruins will play the Flames again next Monday in Calgary, as part of a five-game road trip. They also head to Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, and Buffalo.
— By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at [email protected].