Boston.com is reporting that Bruins C Patrice Bergeron was cleared for full-contact practice this morning.  While Bergeron has ruled out playing in Game 1 against the hated Habs, both the Bruins and Bergeron have not ruled out a Game 2 appearance.  Bergeron will practice at Ristuccia the next few days and make the trip to Montreal.  From there, he will most likely be reexamined one final time before playing in a game.

It appears that if the Bruins get knocked out of the playoffs this year, it will not be due to attrition.  The B's should be almost completely healthy for Game 1 (minus Patrice Bergeron and Chucky Kobasew of course) as Marc savard, Glen Metropolit and Andrew Ference should all be ready to go.  I've already gone on record and said that if Patrice Bergeron comes back in any capacity for the playoffs, I believe the B's will go pretty deep.  If by adding nothing more than an emotional lift, Bergeron will still be able to contribute to the team this year... not to mention that when he's fully healthy, Berg is still the best player on the Bruins.

Said Berg on being cleared to resume contact drills and the possibility of appearing in the playoffs, "I'll talk to the guys.  I'll tell them the red jersey is over now.  Obviously Montreal's not going to give me any favors."

That certainly doesn't sound like a man who is already looking towards next October.

Manny Ortez is a co-creator and senior writer for Boston Sports Buzz.