It wasn't quite a complete passing of the torch, because the reality is that Patrice Bergeron has had his hands on that torch for many years, helping Zdeno Chara carry it as a Bruins leader.
But there was still some symbolism to be found when Bergeron, in his first year as Boston's captain, embraced Chara, in his first year with Washington after 14 years as Bruins captain, after Bergeron's Bruins eliminated Chara's Capitals in five games.
It was Bergeron's first series win with the 'C' on his jersey, and it came following a regular season that tested every captain and leader throughout the league.
Because of the COVID restrictions teams had to deal with all year, it was harder than ever for players to bond, with few opportunities to get together away from the rink. When players got down, it took more of an effort to help pick them up. When new guys like Taylor Hall, Mike Reilly and Curtis Lazar joined the team mid-season, Bergeron and the rest of the Bruins' leaders had to do a little more to make them feel welcome.
Despite plenty of struggles along the way, Bergeron helped navigate the Bruins to a good place by the time the postseason began, and now they're moving on to the second round after a 4-1 series win over Washington.
Bergeron not only led off the ice, but on it as well, scoring twice in Sunday night's 3-1 closeout win. Unsurprisingly, his coach and teammates had high praise for him Sunday night. Here's what they had to say postgame:
Bruce Cassidy: "Certainly a guy that has led this team for a lot of years. This is his first year with the 'C' on it, so he wants to sort of put his signature on the club, regular season and now the playoffs. I'm sure he's digging a little bit deeper, if that's possible for him, because I think he's a guy who shows up every night and gives it everything he's got. … We could talk about him all day. Happy to see him get his first series win as a captain."
David Pastrnak: "Obviously it's incredible, but he's been a leader since I got here. He's been unbelievable. I'm really happy for him. Hopefully we won't stop there."
Tuukka Rask: "He's been one of our many leaders for years now. Now he has the captain's letter on his chest, but he hasn't changed at all. I think everybody knows what kind of player and person he is. Especially in a clutch game like tonight, nobody should be surprised that he scored a goal or two. Like I said, he's been our leader for many years, and he hasn't done anything out of the ordinary. I think he just wants to be himself, lead vocally and by example, and he's done that all year and now in the playoffs."
As for Bergeron himself, he said he hadn't really thought about the significance of winning a series with the 'C' on his chest.
"I don't know. I feel like we're a team where it feels special to win together, everyone chipping in and contributing," Bergeron said. "I've said it all along: I have a great leadership group and core that, we're really close to each other and we rely on each other to lead. I haven't really thought about it. I'm just happy we got the win and finished it off and can look forward and move on to Round 2."
