Bergeron-Marchand Connection Was on Full Display

NEW YORK - There isn't much about Patrice Bergeron that surprises Brad Marchand anymore.
After playing on the same line for the better part of eight seasons, the duo can pretty much predict whatever the other might be up to next.
So, as Marchand cruised down the left wing late in the first period on Thursday night in Brooklyn, he knew his partner in crime was not far behind. The winger approached the top of the left circle and instinctively zipped a cross-slot pass to Bergeron, who ripped a wrister over the right shoulder of Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak.

The duo wasn't done. They connected for yet another highlight-reel tally in the third period to complete Bergeron's hat trick in a 5-2 victory over the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center. The win extended Boston's points streak to 15 games (11-0-4) and has them positioned as the league's third-best team (60 points), behind only the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vegas Golden Knights.
"We have a lot of fun, it's been a long time together and a lot of years building that chemistry," said Marchand, who also potted an empty-netter in the closing minute. "But when [Bergeron's] playing the way he is right now it's just fun to watch. It's fun to be on the ice with him. You know he's going to make a play every time he has the puck. You can't give him enough credit, he's an incredible player."

The hat trick was Bergeron's second in his last six games. The 32-year-old pivot also potted four goals in a 7-1 thrashing of the Carolina Hurricanes on Jan. 6. Before this season, Bergeron had just one hat trick during his 14-year career.
"He's so consistent…you can't say enough about his ability to contribute every night," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. "You talk about some guys when they don't have it offensively to bring something else - well, he brings it every night no matter what. Nice to see him get rewarded."
Bergeron's third goal of the night also pushed him past Wayne Cashman for seventh place on the Bruins' all-time goals list with 278. Cashman, who played in Boston from 1964-1983, was an assistant coach with the B's during Bergeron's first two seasons.
"It's not something that I really stop and think about to be honest with you," Bergeron said of the accolade. "I had a chance to learn from Cash my first few years. He was a great person. I've heard only great things about him as a player and the way he played the game.
"It's always great to hear and great honors, but at the same time I'm really worried about what I can control, which is helping my team get some more wins."

A night after being held without a shot in Boston's win over Montreal - the first time that has happened since Oct. 22, 2016, a span of 114 games - Bergeron made sure to take advantage of his looks against the Isles, firing a team-high four shots on goal.
"Last game was one of those nights where I was trying to find my wingers," said Bergeron. "Obviously you want to get some shots on net and that's the only way you can score goals. Tonight was one of those where I was getting the looks again and I was trying to take them.
"The puck goes in sometimes, sometimes it doesn't - right now it is, so I'm going to try to keep shooting and keep trying to find the back of the net."
Bergeron's first tally of the night was a perfect example of the chemistry the pair has developed over their lengthy time together. After David Pastrnak freed the puck in the neutral zone, Marchand picked it up and raced towards the net. Marchand knew he had Bergeron breaking for a 2-on-1 and fed his linemate, who beat Halak to tie the game at 1 with 6:19 to go in the first.
After a rough first 10 minutes, it was a crucial turning point, marking the first of four straight Bruins goals.
"He's always in a position to get off a shot like that. He plays the game and reads the play, he puts himself in a spot where he's coming into areas with speed or he's coming in late to an area," said Marchand. "I know he's always coming in late there. It's the first place I look."

Marchand pointed to Bergeron's communication skills as a vital piece to their on-ice camaraderie.
"The other thing he's really good at is talking, he talks all the time on the ice," said Marchand. "Before I even picked up the puck he was letting me know that he was with me.
"I knew we had a 2-on-1 from the second I got it and you give him the puck in a scoring area like that, 9 out of 10 times he's gonna get it. Just fun to watch him play."
After Ryan Spooner potted his sixth goal in eight games, Bergeron got back to work, extending Boston's lead to 3-1 with a power-play tally. When Torey Krug's point shot was blocked out front, Bergeron collected the loose puck and quickly fired one by the glove of Halak with 6:11 to go in the second.
"He's a small sample of our whole team," Krug said of Bergeron. "We produce offense from the defensive side of pucks and we go in on odd-man rushes and we have the ability to make plays because we have high-end players. He's a perfect example of that."

Bergeron's prettiest goal of the night may have been his last - with, of course, some help from Marchand. Marchand entered the offensive zone, spun around Isles defenseman Nick Leddy, fell to the ice, and nudged a pass to Bergeron with the toe of his stick. Bergeron then whipped around and fired his third past Halak to make it 4-1 just 3:45 into the third.
"He's unpredictable for one," Cassidy said of Marchand. "He goes forehand, backhand, he'll shoot, he'll turn up, he'll attack. He's just so strong on his feet. And he never quits, it's usually second or third effort…I just think it's his dog-on-the-bone mentality."
The duo's nightly display of dominance is something their teammates make to sure to appreciate.
"It's easy to sit on the bench and look past the fact that they're the best line in the league. They do everything well," said Krug. "You can't forget about Pasta in that group because he brings an element to that line that not many other teams have.
"The way that Marchy and Bergy have developed chemistry over the years, it's special to watch and they know where each other are on the ice the whole game. You just want to make sure you take a second to take it in sometimes."