Bergeron Takes a Maintenance Day as B's Practice in Chicago

CHICAGO - Patrice Bergeron took a maintenance day on Monday and did not hit the ice for the Bruins' practice at Fifth Third Arena, the Blackhawks' training facility. The B's top pivot was replaced by Anton Blidh, who was celebrating his 27th birthday, on Boston's top line between Brad Marchand and Jake DeBrusk.
"Should be good to go [on Tuesday]," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. "But I'll let you know for sure in the morning. Just needed an extra day…the other lines practiced together, as opposed to moving maybe [Curtis] Lazar up there, whose played center. It's just easier to put Anton up there."
Linus Ullmark is slated to get the start on Tuesday night against the Blackhawks, while Jeremy Swayman will go on Wednesday in Minnesota.

Trade Deadline Looming

The NHL trade deadline is one week away, but Cassidy doesn't sense any added angst around the dressing room. For now, he said, the team is focused on continuing its recent stretch of success on the ice.
"It's business as usual for us," said Cassidy. "If something happens to help our team, I think we'd all be grateful for that. If not, we'll try to keep playing well and get where we need to go."
Cassidy did acknowledge the rumors surrounding Jake DeBrusk, whose request for a trade went public in November, but added that he does not believe they have affected the winger or his teammates when it comes to on-ice performance.
"He's obviously aware of it and asked for it so I imagine that he has some emotions that the other guys don't," said Cassidy. "I think every guy in that room would prefer to stay here, especially the way the team's going now. I don't see that, haven't heard anything, haven't seen any of that."
Cassidy went on to say that he does have regular discussions with Boston general manager Don Sweeney about potential needs for the club but does not get into specifics about potential trade packages and logistics.
"Donny always has discussions with us about needs, depth pieces," said Cassidy. "At the end of the day, there's always that discussion. I imagine it will heat up a little more in the next week. There's no discussion on the package involved or anything like that, it's more the area of the team, if there's a need there, what if we upgrade here, how will it affect the lines, how will it affect the D pairs? There's those conversations and we're having them."

Climbing the Ladder

The Bruins' recent run of success - they're 9-1-1 in their last 11 - has put them in shouting distance of Toronto and Tampa Bay in the Atlantic Division. Boston (77 points) is just two points back of the Maple Leafs for third place and five points behind the Lightning for the second spot. Florida leads the Atlantic with 86 points.
"I think we'd like to finish as high as we can," said Cassidy. "But honestly, I don't think the guys are even thinking about that. They're thinking about getting in [to the playoffs]. We've had a good push here to kind of solidify our spot here in the last six weeks or so or whatever it is now, two months. If we catch them great, then it's who's next, is it Tampa, Florida? We'll try to gun for them but without losing sight of our game.
"But I don't think it matters if we finish second, third fourth, the East is tough no matter where you finish. The top eight teams now have separated themselves and I don't think there's gonna be any easy matchup."

High Marks for McAvoy

With three assists in his last four games, Charlie McAvoy has set a new career-high with 30 assists, surpassing his previous high of 27 set in 2019-20. The blue liner has seven goals, tied for his career best (2017-18 and 2018-19), while also boasting a career-high 37 points this season.
"I think there's lots of room for growth," said Cassidy. "He plays in all situations. I think his consistency has been there since Day 1. If he has a tough shift or period, he's able to pull himself out of it. That's the biggest thing we've noticed with him is he's there every night.
"I still think there's room on the power play to be cleaner, take charge a little more, be more of a quarterback type mentality on it. Again, some of that is new to him full-time this year. We expect over time that will come as well. Not very many complaints in his game."

Monday's Practice Lineup

FORWARDS
Brad Marchand - Anton Blidh - Jake DeBrusk
Taylor Hall - Erik Haula - David Pastrnak
Trent Frederic - Charlie Coyle - Craig Smith
Nick Foligno - Tomas Nosek - Curtis Lazar
DEFENSEMEN
Mike Reilly - Charlie McAvoy
Matt Grzelcyk - Brandon Carlo
Derek Forbort - Connor Clifton
Jack Ahcan
GOALIES
Linus Ullmark
Jeremy Swayman