The Boston Bruins managed well without Patrice Bergeron in the lineup, but it’s always nice to get your best player back into the lineup.
The perennial Selke contender missed 16 games with a chest injury before returning to the lineup on Saturday. Boston had gone 9-6-1 in his absence, including a 5-2-0 clip in their past seven games. The Bruins are deep, so missing their top center was more on the side of an inconvenience than it was a devastating blow.
That said, having Bergeron back in the lineup was a welcomed addition that the Bruins took immediate advantage of against the recently woeful and injured Nashville Predators.
First game since Nov. 16 and Bergy hasn’t missed a beat. https://t.co/YnkQsM5NOt
— NHL (@NHL) December 22, 2018
Bergeron had 26 points in 19 games before he was sidelined and appeared as if he had played only a couple of days ago, scoring twice, started a tic-tac-toe on the game-winner that Brad Marchand scored and then added his second apple on David Pastrnak’s goal to make it 4-2.
His second goal was the 300th of his career.
It's good to have ya back, Bergy.#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/IDrYz6MKKZ
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 22, 2018
A three-point game for Bergeron, who looked at the top of his game, as usual.
With Boston’s formidable top line back intact, they combined for 10 points in the game in the 5-2 win. Marchand and Pastrnak each had a goal and two assists of their own.
MORE: Your 2018-19 NHL on NBC TV schedule
Scott Billeck is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @scottbilleck