Bruins benefit from secret weapon despite huge lineup absence

Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron did not take part in Game 1 of their opening-round playoff series against the Florida Panthers on Monday night due to an illness, and is believed to be questionable for Game 2.

However, Bergeron remains the Bruins’ top weapon as head coach Jim Montgomery explained to Matt Porter after Boston’s 3-1 win over the Panthers. Bergeron was “in the coaches’ room” and then spoke with his teammates during intermissions about what he was seeing on the ice.

“I learn from him every game. He’ll say something on the bench and I’m like, ‘Ah. I’m going to start talking about that now.’”

While this is great for the Bruins to count on Bergeron’s game IQ during the series, it is unfortunate that he cannot provide that support from the ice.

He might be suffering from an illness, but there are also reports of a lingering upper-body injury that occurred in the team’s regular-season finale against the Montreal Canadiens. Bergeron then missed practice Saturday and Sunday.

Following Monday’s morning skate, Montgomery said:

“We have not only Bergeron, but a couple of guys that have been under the weather.”

The team listed Pavel Zacha taking Bergeron’s spot on the top line between wingers Brad Marchand and Jake DeBrusk.

Isn’t it reassuring for Bruins’ fans to know that the captain remains a huge weapon off the ice as well?

Game 2 is tonight in Boston with the Bruins leading the series 1-0.

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