BOSTON -- Centre Patrice Bergeron is "optimistic" he can play Saturday when the Boston Bruins face the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 5 of their first-round series.
Bergeron missed the Bruins' 3-1 Game 4 victory on Thursday with an undisclosed injury. The Bruins lead the series 3-1 lead and can advance with a victory. If Toronto wins, Game 6 is Monday at Air Canada Centre.
Bergeron skated Saturday at Warrior Ice Arena.
"I'm optimistic. Again it's about now ... selling it to the other side," Bergeron said, referring to the medical staff.
Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy thought Bergeron "looked good" during the skate.
"I anticipate he will play," Cassidy said.
After totalling 30 goals and 33 assists during the season, Bergeron had five assists in the first three games of this series. Bergeron is impressed with how his team played during his absence.
"It speaks a lot to both the depth that we have and guys always find a way to step up," he said. "It's something we've been through many times this year, so I was definitely confident. But, at the same time, you're always a lot nervous when you're not playing."
