Patrice Bergeron (lower-body) misses practice, uncertain for Saturday

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 21: Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins looks on during the third period against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

By Ty Anderson, 985TheSportsHub.com

Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy gave his top line the day off on Friday.

In the case of Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, it was a simple maintenance day. But Patrice Bergeron's absence, on the other hand, was apparently related to a lower-body injury sustained in Thursday's shootout loss to the Lightning. According to Cassidy, Bergeron sustained the injury on a blocked shot. Bergeron, for what it's worth, was credited with two blocked shots in the losing effort, and both were against Tampa defenseman Ryan McDonagh (the second of which came in overtime).

But the Bruins are hopeful that their top-line center will be good to go when the puck drops on Saturday night.

"I don't believe there is [a chance he misses the game]," Cassidy said following the skate at Warrior Ice Arena. "But he didn't go out [today], so I'd better make sure."

This is potentially troubling news for the Bruins, as they Bruins have been carried by their first line out of the gate, with the Bergeron Line having scored 14 of the team's 19 goals through the first seven goals of the new campaign.

Bergeron has scored two of those goals, and has seven points in seven games to date.

Ty Anderson is a writer and columnist for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Yell at him on Twitter: @_TyAnderson.