Bergeron stayed home, Krejci scratched last minute.

Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron did not travel with the team for Games 3 and 4 of the playoff series against the Florida Panthers. However, head coach Jim Montgomery announced that Bergeron is likely to return for Game 5 in Boston.

Krejci Scratched with Upper-Body Injury

David Krejci participated in the morning skate and pre-game warm-up but was a late scratch due to an upper body injury. Krejci had missed the last six regular season games with a lower body injury and had a slow start in the first two games of the playoffs.

Goalie Linus Ullmark a Game-Time Decision

Goalie Linus Ullmark did not participate in the morning skate but was a game-time decision. He ultimately started the game for the B’s. The extent of his injury was not disclosed, but Montgomery stated that it is not related to the lower body injury he suffered in the second-to-last game of the regular season.

Montgomery Defends Decision to Play Regulars

The Bruins received backlash for playing all their regulars (minus Ullmark) in the final regular season game against Montreal, which led to Bergeron’s injury. But Montgomery defended the decision, stating that it was a well thought-out plan involving rest periods and consulting with sports science and the players affected.

Grzelcyk and Lauko Make Series Debuts

Matt Grzelcyk made his series debut and skated with Charlie McAvoy, while Connor Clifton was a scratch. Rookie Jakob Lauko also made his playoff debut. All four forward lines were changed for the game, and Montgomery joked that the line changes were like “spitting out lotto balls.”

Frederic Fuming After Altercation

Bruins player Trent Frederic was angered by an altercation with Ryan Lomberg in Game 2, stating that Lomberg was choking him and cutting off his air supply during the fight. Frederic channeled his emotions into playing harder in Game 3.