Bruce Cassidy “suspects” Patrice Bergeron will play on Thursday
Bruins center Patrice Bergeron has missed the last two-games due to a lower-body injury.
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – JANUARY 01: Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins waits to take a face-off in the second period against the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Notre Dame Stadium. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - JANUARY 01: Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins waits to take a face-off in the second period against the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Notre Dame Stadium. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
By Ty Anderson, 985TheSportsHub.com
The battered Bruins could be getting the biggest boost of all on Thursday, as Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy believes that Patrice Bergeron will make his return to the Boston lineup when the Bruins host the Sabres at TD Garden.
"Very close," Cassidy said of Bergeron following Tuesday's 5-1 victory over the Devils. "I suspect he’ll play Thursday.
"This extra day will help him.”
Out of action due to a lower-body injury sustained in last Friday's win over the Maple Leafs, the Bruins have seemingly played it safe with Bergeron, who took part in Tuesday's morning skate but did not play, in an effort to keep upright for the foreseeable future. To them, it's better for Bergeron to miss a couple of games instead of rushing him back and having him miss five.
Getting Bergeron back on Thursday would mark the second straight game that saw the B's get members of their lineup back in action, as wingers Jake DeBrusk and Brett Ritchie both returned to action on Tuesday night after missing the last five games.
The Bruins have managed without Bergeron over this two-game sample, grabbing three of a possible four points, and with David Krejci playing in Bergeron's spot between Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak.
Bergeron, who battles a chronic groin injury, has eight goals and 19 points in 19 games this season.
Ty AndersonEditor
Ty Anderson is 98.5 The Sports Hub’s friendly neighborhood straight-edge kid. Ty has been covering the Bruins (and other Boston teams) since 2010, has been a member of the PHWA since 2013, and went left to right across your radio dial and joined The Sports Hub in 2018. Ty also writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to the Boston Celtics and Boston Red Sox.
