At 37, Patrice Bergeron is showing little sign of slowing down, but sometimes a few extra days off are needed.
He and teammate David Krejci benefited from that on Monday when they didn’t attend the Boston Bruins’ morning practice session. Head coach Jim Montgomery joked that the two forwards would enjoy “senior” privilege.
“That’s the senior discount,” he said to a burst of laughter shared by journalists at the scene. On their day off they got a bowl of soup.”
“We’re starting to think about days off, not just for these two, but for the other players who might be in pain and bruised,” continued Montgomery.
With 49 wins in 62 games and 103 points, the Bruins are almost guaranteed a place in the playoffs. You have won your last 10 duels. Giving some players, especially veterans, a little breathing space is not a luxury for them. There are 20 regular season games to play and injuries are being avoided.
Bergeron is the team’s fourth goalscorer and second-best goalscorer with 23 goals and 48 points. Krejci, 36, is just ahead with 50 points in 57 games.