Over the last decade, the Boston Bruins have been one of hockey’s most successful teams. Although their only title came during the 2010-2011 season they have made it to the Stanley Cup Final three times.
During that time, the roster has undergone constant change, but Patrice Bergeron has been one constant. While Bergeron has been one of the best two-way players for years, he has taken his game to another level the past two seasons. As the Bruins center gets older, he is aging like a fine wine.
Bergeron has always been goal scorer but over the past two years, he’s had back-to-back 30-goal seasons for the first time in his career despite being limited by injuries. In that span he has missed a combined 25 regular-season games. Despite being limited to 65 games last season, the former second-round pick set a new career-high in points with 79.
Additionally, Bergeron was deadly on the power play. On the man advantage, he was able to record 27 points, which is the third-highest total of his career. His offense was not just limited to the power play, as he set a new career-high with four shorthanded goals. Just like in years past, he affected the game in a variety of ways.
Although the Bruins center has excelled offensively, Bergeron has continued to be one of hockey’s best two-way players. The veteran was able to block at least 60 shots for the third time in his career while landing 43 hits. He also only had 27 giveaways, which was a drastic decrease from last year when he had 42 in 64 games.
Despite the Bruins’ disappointing finish to last season, Bergeron still showed that he has a lot left in the tank. He was able to record 47 assists, which were his most since the 2006-2007 season. When the Canadian native was healthy, he was harder to stop than in years past. Had injuries not limited him, one can only wonder what his final numbers would have been.
Over the past few seasons, along with Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, the trio has become one of the best lines in hockey. Although Marchand and Pastrnak are superstars, the Bruins top line is very different without Bergeron in the lineup. Even though the three were inconsistent in the Final, they were also battling injuries.
With the start of the regular season less than two months away, Bergeron is ready to build on last season’s success. He was averaging more than a point per game, which should continue. The key for Bergeron will be staying healthy, which has been a problem over the last two seasons. Last year, however, was proof that one of the franchise’s cornerstones is seemingly getting better with age.
2 Responses
Not in the playoffs, he struggled especially in the final.
Best 2 way player in the game hands down.