Bergeron's Scoring Touch Helps Bruins Over Sabres

BOSTON - Patience is a virtue. Just ask Patrice Bergeron.
Boston's alternate captain has fired a team-leading 127 shots on goal this season, though he is connecting on just 5.5 percent of them.
There have been games in which Bergeron has fired five or six shots on goal without anything to show for it. As frustrated as he has been at some points over the season's first three months, the center knew his luck would eventually turn.

It has done just that over the last two games.
Bergeron has potted goals (on 11 shots) in two straight games, including the deciding tally in Boston's 3-1 win over Buffalo during a New Year's Eve matinee at TD Garden.
"I think it's nice to get the results," said Bergeron, who also won 15 of 24 faceoffs against Buffalo. "I think you don't second guess yourself as much and it makes you relax a little bit more.
"But, you try to do the right things all over the ice. Obviously, I know that offense is a part of my game, and it has to be a part of my game. I have to bring that to the team."

Both goals have come in a similar fashion. On Thursday night in Buffalo, Bergeron posted up in the slot and one-timed a feed from Brad Marchand past Sabres goalie Robin Lehner.
His repeat performance on Saturday almost looked like a replay. Bergeron, once again, planted himself in his familiar bumper position and quickly one-timed Ryan Spooner's pass for a power-play tally and a 2-0 Bruins lead at 7:04 of the second period.
"I' mean, I'm trying to get open there," said Bergeron, who now has seven goals and five assist this season. "I've had some good looks, some great passes from Brad and Ryan. But, I think that's something I've been able to do over the years to be open in the slot.
"It's just one of those things that I have to keep working on it and finding the open space."
For Bruins coach Claude Julien, it has been a pleasant site to see Bergeron - as well as some of the Black & Gold's other top-tier players - contribute offensively over the last two games.
"I think, more than him, March is starting to find his game as well, and obviously [David Krejci] has been picking up the pace big time," said Julien. "Our good players, right now, are really picking up their game, and it makes a big difference.
"For Bergy], I think he was the one that was probably the most under, I guess, the amount of points or production that we're used to seeing. So, it's nice to see him get that [goal].
"I think those two guys - again, Bergy and March - are starting to find each other better again, and so that becomes a pretty dangerous duo when you have play against them."

The most important thing for Bergeron, however, was helping Boston to its second straight win - a feat they hadn't accomplished since the first week of December.
"When you start the game the right way, you don't put yourself in a bad spot," Bergeron said of playing with a lead. "We showed some character lately getting back in games, but it's not good enough when you play for 40 minutes.
"Tonight was a perfect example. When you start the right way, it makes a huge difference."

Vatrano's Hometown Milestone

Frank Vatrano scored eight goals during his rookie season in 2015-16. None of the goals, however, came at TD Garden.
The East Longmeadow, Mass., native finally registered his first goal on Causeway Street Saturday afternoon. Vatrano took a cross-ice feed from Zdeno Chara and whipped it past Lehner for a 1-0 lead just 1:28 into the game.
"Being from Mass., obviously everyone's dream growing up is to score in the Garden," said Vatrano. "For me, it was pretty cool to be able to do that and it was even better that we got a win out of it."

Schaller Pots Another

Tim Schaller has shown an ability to play anywhere throughout the Bruins' lineup during his first season with the Black & Gold. The winger has played on a skill line alongside David Krejci and David Backes and an energy line with Dominic Moore and Noel Acciari.
For the last two games - after sitting out three straight contests as a healthy scratch - he has found himself slotting in on the third line with Austin Czarnik and Riley Nash, after a concussion to David Backes caused some shifting throughout Boston's lineup.
On Saturday, Schaller potted his first goal since Dec. 5, when he streaked down the right wing and tossed a backhand on net that squeaked through Buffalo goalie Robin Lehner to put Boston up, 3-0, midway through the second.
"I'm staying focused on playing my game no matter who I'm playing with," said Schaller. "That's what they want me to do so I'm going to do - I'm going to keep playing my game. It's gotten me this far, so hopefully I can keep going with it."

Point Streaks Aplenty

The Bruins have five players with multi-game point streaks. Torey Krug (0-7-7), who had an assist on Schaller's goal, and Spooner (3-4-7), who had a helper on Bergeron's tally, have notched points in five straight games.
Bergeron, Marchand, and Vatrano have points in back-to-back games.
On another note, Boston's win Saturday completed a four-game season sweep of the Sabres. It is the first time in history the Bruins have swept the season series against Buffalo.

Backes Has Concussion

The Bruins announced Saturday afternoon that David Backes has a concussion and is out indefinitely as the team follows the NHL's concussion protocols. Backes suffered the injury after taking an illegal check to the head during Boston's win over the Sabres Thursday night.
Backes has skated in 33 games with the Bruins this season, recording nine goals and 10 assists for 19 points.
"I haven't talked to him in two days," said Julien. "I talked to him after the game when he was on the plane….he's been told to stay away from TV's and even texting.
"All I know is that he's seen the doctors and I'm not quite sure whether he's getting on the right track now or if he's still the same as he was two days ago."

Laing Drops First Puck; Bruins Honor Falmouth

Boston Pride forward and Marblehead native Denna Laing dropped the ceremonial first puck prior to today's game, one year after suffering a spinal injury at the 2016 Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium. She was accompanied to the ice by sister Lexie and was greeted by Bruins captain Zdeno Chara and Sabres captain Brian Gionta.

Boston also paid tribute to Falmouth High School hockey players Owen Higgins and James Lavin by hanging Bruins jerseys with their names and numbers on the bench during warmups. Higgins and Lavin, both 17, were killed in a car accident after leaving hockey practice on Dec. 22.