The Cap Hits 400
Bergeron played what is likely to be hi final game of the regular season Thursday night and made sure to make it a memorable one. The Captain will surely enter the playoffs well rested and on a high note, scoring his 400th career goal on his third goal of the night which came with just over two minutes left in the final period. The tally marked his eighth career hat trick and makes him just the fourth player in team history to score 400 goals with the team, joining Johnny Bucyk (545), Phil Esposito (459), and Rick Middleton (402).
"On the face-off, I fell. I was trying to get back up 'cause we had a play set up," said Bergeron. "But Charlie [McAvoy] made an amazing pass, a great read on that one and when I got the puck, I knew I probably had a little bit of time to get a shot off and a great screen in front lot of bodies there and it trickled in."
Bergeron was given a small window from Coach Cassidy to cap the hat trick and prevent wearing him out when the B's were up by four with only two minutes left.
"It's funny, I put him out there for the draw and said, listen, if it doesn't happen here quick, let's get off....it happened quick," said Cassidy. "I'm happy for him."
Bergeron's first two goals both came in the second period which gave the B's a 2-0 lead after a scoreless first. While the hats were flying onto the TD Garden ice in celebration, it was a special moment for the 36-year-old to reflect on the success he's had with the Bruins - and the Bruins only.
"The one thing that's special is I scored all the goals with the Bruins," said Bergeron. "I think that's the biggest thing for me that I take out of it, it's been a great ride with one organization.'"
Bergeron credited his teammates when it comes to each milestone he's been able to reach. "For me, those milestones are always based on the help of your teammates and what they do when you accomplish that," said Bergeron. "To share that with them and for them to have that reaction was great, it was special and I very much appreciate it."
While the milestones are great, Bergeron's main focus is on the result of the game and helping the team succeed. "For me, the biggest thing is wins and losses and the details in the things you want do to help your team the most," said Bergeron.
Video: BUF@BOS: Bergeron nets three on the Sabres in 5-0 win
Pastrnak Ends Drought On Milestone
David Pastrnak earned his 40th goal on the season and at the same time ended the Bruins 0-for-39 power play drought. Pastrnak's tally came just two minutes into the second period off a feed from Taylor Hall and gave the B's a 3-0 lead over the Sabres. Pastrnak leads the B's in goals with 40, with Brad Marchand after him at 32. It is the winger's second career 40-goal season.
With Pastrnak's goal coming on the man advantage, the Bruins are happy to move on from the burden that was hanging over them for nearly a month. "It was nice to just kind of end it and we can move forward," said Bergeron. "Especially right before playoffs, I think it's perfect timing."
The B's had come very close to scoring on the power play, but close was not good enough for Bergeron. "It's a league where you demand the best out of yourself, and I think you want results," said Bergeron. "Being close is obviously not good enough after a while and you want to take it upon yourself to be better and I thought it was just great to get that goal."
For Cassidy, he hopes ending the drought now will free the guys up heading into the playoffs. "Hopefully tonight that loosened some guys up, and that carries forward," said Cassidy.
Taylor Hall also scored on the power play just two minutes after his assist on Pastrnak's goal after Buffalo was unsuccessful on an offside challenge for the second time in the game and was tagged with a four-minute delay of game penalty. It was Hall's 20th goal of the season.
Video: BUF@BOS: Pastrnak slides in PPG
Ullmark Shuts Out Sabres
Linus Ullmark also recorded his first shutout with the Bruins and it came against former team. "There was a lot of emotions obviously playing your old team and puts a little bit more special feelings towards it," said UIlmark.
It was a timely shutout as Ullmark noted the importance of carrying some momentum into the postseason. "You don't want to end the regular season on a losing skid with no confidence and stuff like that, so obviously it's a plus in my book," said Ullmark.
Ullmark stopped 37 shots Thursday night, and while he celebrates that, Ullmark is already onto the next. "I'm focused for what's to come now," said Ullmark. "Regular season doesn't mean anything when you get into playoffs."
Ullmark was also proud of his postgame celebration buddy, Jermey Swayman, who took home NESN's 7th Player Award.
"I wouldn't wish for anyone else to have it," said Ullmark. "He's been putting in the work every single day, been a great teammate and he's been putting up the numbers as well and winning games for us on a regular basis, I think I might be the happiest guy about it."
Video: BUF@BOS: Ullmark makes 37 saves for the shutout
Last One Before the Dance
The B's lineup will look a little different heading into their final game of the regular season on Friday in Toronto. As of Thursday night, no offical lineup changes were provided by Cassidy, but with some planned maintenance days, and a few "bumps and bruises" around the dressing room, it is likely that some of Boston's regulars will sit out the tilt against Toronto.
"No one looks like they'll be out any length of time, but there might be a few 24-48 hour injuries in there that we'll have to adjust our lineup if necessary," said Cassidy.
Things are coming down to the wire, and the B's still don't know for sure who they will face in the first round which has the Bruins busy with scouting both Toronto and Carolina.
"We're watching Tampa, only because that's the only team we can catch," said Cassidy. "I think you're getting a tough matchup no matter what. Every team probably handles it differently but we've said in our case, let's be playing our best hockey when we can and be healthy and try to manage your workload for your players that play a lot, so we're sticking to that plan."
Should the B's face Toronto in the first round, the B's will still head back home to enjoy a Saturday off before the playoffs begin next week.
"We would come back because we would have a day off, might as well do it here at home with the families," said Cassidy. "It's not that far a trip, so we would go back Sunday if we start Monday...guys would be wearing the same suit for six days and the same pair of underwear, so I have a feeling we're coming home."
Video: Cassidy talks following B's 5-0 W vs. BUF
29 Years for Donny D
The B's also celebrated head athletic trainer Don DelNegro, who is retiring after 29 years and over 2,000 games.
"Twenty-nine years is a long time with an organization, he's a special person, and it's well deserved," said Bergeron. "It was a big win for him as the last of the regular season at the Garden for him."
The B's congratulated DelNegro with a video tribute during the first TV timeout - which included shoutouts from former Bruins Zdeno Chara, David Krejci, and Milan Lucic - and was given a standing ovation by the TD Garden crowd. After the game, the players lined up to hug DelNegro and took a photo with him at center ice to mark the occasion.
On Thursday morning, the team and players gifted DelNegro a customized golf cart.
Video: Bruins surprise Don DelNegro with retirement gift
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