Bergeron Paces Bruins in Series-Clinching Win Over Caps

WASHINGTON - There is little doubt that the opening shift of Sunday night's third period did not sit well with Patrice Bergeron. With Boston holding a two-goal advantage and a trip to the second round in their sights, the Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy called upon his top line to start the final frame off right.
But just 11 seconds into the third, Boston surrendered a tally to Washington forward Conor Sheary that pulled the Caps to within one and gave them life with their season on the line.
It was far from the start Boston was looking for and provided Washington with a jolt of momentum that turned into a sustained stretch of pressure over the first 10 minutes of the period, during which the Capitals came tantalizingly close to finding the equalizer.

Fortunately for the B's, Tuukka Rask locked things down, and their first-year captain stepped up - once again - as Bergeron did what he does best: put the Bruins on back.
With 7:35 to go in Game 5, Bergeron provided the final dagger as he pounced on the Caps in their own end and forced a turnover in the slot - in typical Selke-worthy fashion - before ripping home his second goal of the game. The tally put the Bruins back up by two and all but put a bow on their 3-1 win, which sent the Black & Gold to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the fourth consecutive season with a 4-1 series victory.
"Listen, Bergy's never happy when a puck goes in the net and he's on the ice," said Cassidy. "Certainly, a guy that has led this team for a lot of years and this is the first year with the 'C' on [his jersey]. He wants to sort of put his signature on this club, regular season and now obviously playoffs. I'm sure he's digging a little deeper, if that's possible for him, because he's a guy that shows up every night and gives it everything he's got.
"Pulling [David Pastrnak] along, [Brad Marchand], we know, the ultimate competitor…obviously getting a lot out of his linemates and himself. Shot the puck at the right times tonight. We could talk about him all day. Happy to see him get his first series win as a captain."

One of the lasting images of the Bruins' victory over the Capitals will likely be the postgame handshake line, which in its own way acted as yet another passing of the torch. After 14 seasons as Boston's captain, Zdeno Chara signed with Washington last December, leaving behind a storied tenure in the Spoked-B that included a Norris Trophy, three Stanley Cup Final appearances, and a Stanley Cup title.
Bergeron, the longtime alternate captain, succeeded Chara, who graciously offered his congratulations to his former teammates, including extended hugs for David Pastrnak and former defense partners Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo following Game 5.
But the longest embrace came at the front of the line. Bergeron was there to offer a hug, a head tap, and a few words during a brief - but emotional - moment between the two pillars of this latest golden age of Bruins hockey.
"We've had so many battles together," said Bergeron. "It was definitely different to play him in a playoff series. Obviously, we played against each other all year, kind of helped getting used to it for the playoffs. Having said that, it's always different at that time of the year. Tried not to think about it, play your game and concentrate on what we can do as a team. Definitely felt great to finish it off the right way tonight."

Like Chara, Bergeron carries himself with the utmost dignity and respect - on the ice, in the dressing room, and in the community. And for well over a decade, the duo set the tone in creating a culture of determination, commitment, and success in the Bruins dressing room. It is a legacy that will carry on and one that Bergeron continued to embrace in his first season as captain.
"He's been one of our many leaders for years now," said Rask, who made 40 saves in Boston's clinching victory. "He just has the captain's letter on his chest. He hasn't changed at all. I think everybody knows what kind of a player and a person he is, especially in a clutch game tonight.
"Nobody should be surprised that he scored a goal or two…he hasn't done anything out of the ordinary. He just wants to be himself, lead vocally and by example. He's done that all year and many more times."
The team-first mentality that Bergeron has helped to foster was evident in David Pastrnak's postgame commentary. The winger, who opened the scoring with a sensational dangle and finish in the second period, was far more excited about the team's accomplishment than his highlight-reel tally.
"[Bergeron's] been a leader since I got here. He's been unbelievable," said Pastrnak. "[The goal] really doesn't matter as long as you get the win. It's a team sport. The feeling you get with the guys after the game in the locker room, the happiness is like little kids. It's something that you play the game for."

Bergeron, almost verbatim, offered up a similar take when asked about his ability to come through at the most crucial of moments. The 35-year-old's first goal of the night served as the difference, giving him 10 career postseason game winners, surpassing Phil Esposito for sole possession of second place on the Bruins' all-time list. Cam Neely is first with 11.
"That's why you play the game," said Bergeron. "It's just the adrenaline and the feeling that you get. It's always special. This time of the year, it's always fun to be a part of it, you try to stay in the moment.
"That's what I'm trying to tell the guys - you've got to enjoy yourself and not put too much weight on your shoulders. You've got to go out and execute and be the team that we can be night in and night out. I thought we stayed in the moment tonight and we got it done."
The Bruins got it done. But it was their captain who pulled them through.
"I feel like we're a team," said Bergeron. "It feels special to win together, everyone chipping in and contributing. I've said all along, I have a great leadership group and core that we're really close to each other. We rely on each other as well to lead.
"I haven't really thought about it [being my first series win as captain]…I'm just happy we got the win and we finished it off and we can move forward and move on to Round 2."