Bergeron examined

Injured center sees neurologist

With time ticking away on a possible 2007-08 comeback, Patrice Bergeron had an appointment with a neurologist yesterday.

On Dec. 19, Bergeron started exercising for the first time since suffering a Grade 3 concussion and broken nose against Philadelphia on Oct. 27. He stretched and went for a quick spin on the stationary bike, a routine he was able to continue for a few days.

But earlier this month, Bergeron began experiencing headaches, prompting him to quit the workouts, and he went to Aruba for a vacation.

One reason for yesterday's appointment was to determine whether the condition of his neck - Bergeron said it's been feeling stiff lately - might be causing the headaches. Bergeron has been stretching on his own and with the help of physical therapist Scott Waugh.

Bergeron hopes to resume bike workouts this week.

"Whatever they say, I'll do it," said Bergeron. "But I want to get back to riding the bike again."

Upon further review

When Nashville forward J.P. Dumont left his skates and barreled into Tim Thomas in the second period last night, the incensed goalie started throwing punches while still on his back, connecting with at least a left swing with his blocker.

"All of a sudden, all of his weight's on my upper body and my legs are caught in a vulnerable position," said Thomas. "He came down on me so hard that it angered me for a minute."

But when Thomas watched the replay on the scoreboard, he thought it might not have been such a dirty hit.

"By him jumping, it allowed room for my legs to flip out," said Thomas. "If my legs didn't flip out, I would have been really hurt. Maybe he didn't really deserve that punch he got."

Dumont was called for goaltender interference. At the same time, captain Jason Arnott's chirping led to an unsportsmanlike conduct and a five-on-three power play for the Bruins.

"That was the worst call I've ever seen, to tell you the truth," Dumont said. "I know he's coming out. I stop not to hit him, he pretty much charges me, I fall on him, and he starts punching me with his blocker.

"So I hope the league will do something about that. I know we have to protect the goalies. But there he came out at me. I never had the intention to hit him."

Add and subtract

One of the topics of conversation at the NHL board of governors meeting last weekend was stretching the regular season to 84 games, allowing each team to have a home and road game against every other league opponent. Under the current 82-game matrix, the Bruins do not play a single match this season against the teams from the Northwest Division.

NHL Players Association executive director Paul Kelly has said the players would consider adding two games to the regular season, but also said the preseason should be trimmed at the same time.

Thomas said he understands the idea behind the 84-game schedule, noting that every fan in North America wants the opportunity to see Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby. But Thomas wasn't sure about the logistics of whacking preseason games to make room.

"If you take away five preseason games, is that going to be accompanied by an extra two weeks of camp so everybody's in shape for the season? If that's the case, it's going to be even harder," said Thomas. "Right now, we come into camp, and a week later, we have our first exhibition game. But if they make it five [games] and there's more time, are they going to make us practice longer? I don't know."

See you Saturday?

P.J. Axelsson, who skated on his own Monday, participated in yesterday's morning skate, then remained on the ice for additional work with Jeremy Reich and Alex Auld. "It feels pretty good," Axelsson said. "I went a little harder today. So far, so good." Axelsson said he hoped to practice with his teammates today at Ristuccia Arena if his bruised right foot responds well to yesterday's session. If Axelsson doesn't have any setbacks, he could be available for Saturday's game against Detroit . . . Phil Kessel had a game-high three missed shots, including two close attempts in the first period that went wide right of the Nashville cage. "If he scores on those chances, it's a different game," said Julien . . . Reich was a healthy scratch for the first time since Nov. 3.

The third man

Peter Schaefer, a healthy scratch last Thursday against the Islanders, was back in the lineup, skating on the fourth line with Petteri Nokelainen and Shawn Thornton. In the third period, Julien promoted Schaefer to the third line, dropping Vladimir Sobotka to the fourth. "As good as that young line has been, it still hasn't produced any goals," said Julien. "So at some point, you say, 'Here's a guy who's scored 20 points. Maybe he can bring that line a little experience and scoring.' " . . . One of Thornton's three hits came in the second period when he flattened defenseman Ville Koistinen. Later in the period, after Jerred Smithson decked Aaron Ward, Thornton challenged the Nashville forward, but there were no fireworks . . . Glen Murray (strained hip flexor) skated on his own yesterday morning . . . Nashville general manager David Poile, a Northeastern alumnus, was the featured speaker at the Beanpot luncheon at TD Banknorth Garden.