If Bergeron Is Healthy, He’s Playing In Game 5
With a 3-1 series advantage, the Bruins are returning to Boston in the hopes that Patrice Bergeron will be fit to play in his first postseason game in 2023 on Wednesday at 7 o’clock.
And even with a two-win advantage the Bruins currently hold over the Panthers in this first-round series, according to head coach Jim Montgomery, it hasn’t altered the Bruins’ plans to put No. 37 back in action.
“If they and the doctors say they’re able to play, they’re playing,” Montgomery said of Bergeron & David Krejci when asked about their availability for Wednesday. “You don’t take chances in the playoffs. You don’t wait to know if he’s going to get another eight days of rest.
“If he’s healthy, and we know what the situation is, if he gets the green light, he’s playing on Wednesday night.”
Montgomery also acknowledged that Bergeron continues to look better than Krejci when it comes to playing on Wednesday. Still, we’ll have to wait and see about availability as we get closer to game time.
Dont Take Chances In a Best Of 7
As Montgomery stated, you absolutely do not take chances in the playoffs. Giving the Panthers any life is the last thing the Bruins want to do, especially after a lifeless performance less than a week ago. Bringing Boston’s heart and soul back into the mix for Game 5 is the best way to prevent that from happening.
Why Bergeron Didnt Make Trip
Montgomery added that the Bruins decided to keep Bergeron in Boston so that he could work with specialists and trainers who could speed up his recovery, similar to how they helped Charlie McAvoy, Brad Marchand, and Matt Grzelcyk when they were recovering from their respective offseason surgeries at the beginning of the season.
Remaining Series Schedule
Bruins Lead Series 3-1
Game 1 at Boston: Monday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN (Bruins Win)
Game 2 at Boston: Wednesday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN (Bruins Loss)
Game 3 at Florida: Friday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. on TNT (Bruins Win)
Game 4 at Florida: Sunday, April 23 at 3:30 p.m. on TNT (Bruins Win)
Game 5 at Boston: Wednesday, April 26 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN
Game 6* at Florida: Friday, April 28 (TBD)
Game 7* at Boston: Sunday, April 30 (TBD)
