In Bergeron’s absence, it’s Riley Nash’s time to shine for Bruins

On Thursday afternoon, the Boston Bruins announced that top center Patrice Bergeron will be out in tonight’s Game 4 against the Toronto Maple Leafs with an upper-body injury. This leaves the Bruins on thin ice in a crucial game.

In many ways, it could have been worse.

That’s about as optimistic as one can be when considering the fact that the Boston Bruins will be missing top center and Selke Trophy finalist Patrice Bergeron in Thursday’s Game 4 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, a series in which they hold a shaky 2-1 lead.

You might be thinking, What do you mean it could be worse? Bergeron is arguably the most important Bruin on the ice, leading all the team’s forwards in time on ice in the postseason with an average of 18:57.

And though he hasn’t scored a goal this postseason, Bergeron is an important part of moving the puck; he has five assists for as many points this postseason, third-most on the team for the latter mark. Along with David Pastrnak, Bergeron’s plus-minus of 4 is the highest on the team.

But let’s back up for a second, back to Pastrnak. He’s been nothing short of spectacular this postseason, posting a whopping four goals and five assists for nine points in three games. We can all agree at this point in time that, heading into a crucial Game 4 in Toronto in what’s sure to be a rough-and-tumble matchup, Pastrnak is far and away the Bruins’ key player.

Sure, Pastrnak’s job becomes harder — much harder — without Bergeron centering him. But the Bruins’ depth was their greatest asset in the regular season, and it looks like it will have to be again in the postseason.

And in this situation, the depth giveth one Riley Nash, himself recently returned from injury. If you can’t have Patrice Bergeron, Riley Nash is quite literally the next best thing. Expect Nash to center the top line without Bergeron, and keep the Bruins moving without a major disruption in game plan. Like Bergeron, Nash is a two-way forward who will be able to pick up some of Bergeron’s defensive duties against Toronto.

Plus, Nash is feeling fired up. He was at the wrong end of a terrible blown call by the referees in Game 3 in Toronto, sent to the box for delay of game when the puck clearly bounced off the glass before going over it. That will help propel him to see this team through tonight.

The thing that will cause Bruins fans some concern is the fact that Bergeron is known for playing through maladies, including a punctured lung. Though the team indicated he’s considered day-to-day, missing him for more than one game means a different kettle of fish, indeed. Let’s hope that’s not the case.

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