Kelly, Seguin Ready To Step Up For 'Irreplaceable' Bergeron
BOSTON (CBS) – The Boston Bruins hit the practice ice in Wilmington Monday morning, less one of their super starts.
With Patrice Bergeron sidelined for an unknown length of time after suffering a concussion in Game 4 against the Flyers, the Bruins were forced to shuffle their lines as they get ready for their Eastern Conference Finals matchup with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The first line (Lucic-Krejci-Horton) stayed the same, but Chris Kelly was bumped up to the second line with Mark Recchi and Brad Marchand. Rookie Tyler Seguin took Kelly's spot on the third line, next to Rich Peverley and Michael Ryder.
Kelly, acquired before the trade deadline to give the Bruins depth at center, has scored four goals to go with three assists this postseason. He scored three of his goals during the Bruins seven-game series against the Montreal Canadiens, and is looking forward to a shot on the second line if the chances comes his way.
"I would love not to play with them," said Kelly, preferring Bergeron makes a healthy return. "But we'll see what happens and go forward from there. I don't think things change too much. Obviously, Marchy and Rex are great players and whatever needs to be done, I'll go and do that. Wherever Claude feels best to put me or the other guys, I think we're all willing and able."
Listen: Chris Kelly On T&R: His Role If Bergeron Sits
"I think it's something that we think can be a good fit," coach Claude Julien said of Kelly on the line with Marchand and Recchi. "He's obviously had some pretty good numbers in the playoffs, but also he's very reliable at the other end of the ice as well. So it's a starting point."
"You can't replace (Bergeron)," said Kelly. "He does every little thing that maybe goes unnoticed by a lot of people, but not by us. And he does all the big things too that you guys notice as well. You can't replace him, he's irreplaceable."
Kelly, Seguin Talk About Patrice Bergeron
Seguin has been a healthy scratch throughout the playoffs, but the rookie is ready to make his playoff debut if/when the call comes. The second overall pick in the NHL Draft, Seguin scored 11 goals and had 11 assists in 74 games during his rookie campaign.
"I've been put in a situation where I'm always in the pregame warm-ups and I get to see how the guys prepare," said Seguin, who has watched the Bruins 11 playoff games from the press box. "Just to see how much of a high level it is in the playoffs and the intensity. I know what I have to do to come in."
Listen: Felger & Mazz: Bruins Analyst Bob Beers Talks Line Changes, Depth
"A guy like Bergy is someone you can't replace," Seguin said after practice on Monday. "I have to go in and be as prepared as I can. I've been doing it the last month, just waiting to hopefully get my call and I'll be ready."
Every game of the Bruins-Lightning playoff series can be heard on 98.5 The Sports Hub's with pregame coverage beginning 30 minutes before each game with the Dunkin Donuts Bruins Pregame show
