After missing practice for the second day in a row Sunday, it would appear that Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron will be a true game-time decision for Monday’s Game 1 against the Panthers.

“You know, that’s to be decided [Monday],” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said of Bergeron’s status. “If he feels well enough, he’ll play. If not, we’ve done a really good job down the stretch of trying to — [Tomas] Nosek missed the game, was under the weather [and] [Jeremy] Swayman was off today [because] he was under the weather — so we’re just trying to monitor that and make sure we balance it out.”

Lifted from Thursday’s regular season finale in Montreal after just one period with what team called both an upper-body injury and precautionary, the Bruins noted Sunday that Bergeron is dealing with both an injury and an illness.

• As alluded to by Sweeney when discussing what’s wrong with No. 37, Bergeron is the third different Bruins player to deal with some sort of sickness in the last week or so, and the list actually extends beyond that, as both David Pastrnak and Jakub Lauko dealt with illnesses in the last few weeks.

  Sweeney did not seem overly concerned with the idea of a ‘bug’ going through his team’s locker room ahead of the playoffs (he seemed to dismiss the idea with an ‘I don’t think so’ when asked if there was indeed one), and as of right now, he doesn’t seem all that concerned with Bergeron’s status for the game.

  Even after the second day of Pavel Zacha skating between Brad Marchand and Jake DeBrusk on Boston’s top line.

  “We’ve played different games with Patrice this year being out and all those guys have stepped in, but that’s to be decided,” Sweeney said of a potential Bergeron-less lineup. “So, we’re not focused on that. Obviously, Pavel [Zacha] gets some reps that’s much needed to play with Jake and Brad because he hasn’t played a lot with them, and Charlie Coyle’s moved around there as well. But that’s not something we’re overly concerned about at this point.”

• 

  TAMPA, FLORIDA – JANUARY 26: Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins faces off during a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on January 26, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images )

• Another player who isn’t concerned with Bergeron’s availability? Brad Marchand.

  “I mean, [Bergeron]’s obviously a huge, huge piece of the group and he always leads on and off the ice, regardless if he’s on the ice practicing or not,” Marchand said following Saturday’s practice. “So, it’s not a big deal. He’s taken rest days throughout the year just to make sure he’s feeling good. And if someone’s not feeling well at this time of year then it’s just great to have the opportunity to rest up and prepare.”

  Marchand also added that he believed Bergeron would play and that he was just dealing with a sickness.

  Whether or not Marchand is just playing some sort of playoff-level mindgames on us — but more importantly the Panthers — is a valid question. But there’s also no denying that he’d probably be the best source in regards to how Bergeron is feeling and what he’s thinking other than, y’know, Bergeron himself.

  The Bruins also know that Bergeron, who has played through far worse than a ‘nagging’ upper-body injury and a flu, doesn’t need a weekend of practices to be truly ready for the playoffs. This may very well be his last rodeo, but it certainly isn’t his first. The Bruins will always take game availability over practice availability, and if they’re going to sacrifice one to ensure the existence of the other, practice is getting punted every single time.

  “Patrice doesn’t need extra days of practice,” Sweeney remarked. “So if he feels better, he’ll play.”

• 

  Mar 9, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) celebrates with center Patrice Bergeron (37) after scoring a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period at the TD Garden. (Brian Fluharty/USA TODAY Sports)

• In the event that Bergeron does not feel better by the time the puck drops on Game 1 a little after 7:30 p.m. on Monday night, the Bruins will indeed roll with Zacha in the middle of Boston’s first line.

  One of the Black and Gold’s most versatile weapons, the Czech-born Zacha put up a career-high 21 goals and 57 points in his first season with the Bruins, and got a heavy dose of minutes at center down the stretch.

  “I think, it’s exciting to be able to play on a team like this and wherever they’re going to be needing a spot, we know from the whole season that I’m getting the chance to play there,” Zacha, who has spent the majority of his season as Boston’s second-line left wing, said of potentially moving up to the middle of Boston’s first line. “We have such a good team that I kind of know what to expect from certain players, which I think helps me in case there’s going to be help needed on certain lines. I know I can and have played with the players a couple of games in regular season.”

  The Bruins iced a Marchand-Zacha-DeBrusk line for over 14 minutes of five-on-five time on ice during the regular season, and while they did not score a goal, they did possess an on-ice edge in both attempts (16-6) and shots (6-4).

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