Bergeron won't be back soon

In a week, he'll meet again with neurologist

WILMINGTON - During a sparsely attended practice yesterday at Ristuccia Arena, Andrew Alberts lined up Patrice Bergeron and delivered a pop to the center, a hit that resembled some of the blasts thrown during the first three games of the opening-round Bruins-Canadiens series.

Bergeron, however, will most likely not take such hits from the Canadiens, as it's unlikely he'll return to the lineup in the first round.

On Sunday, Bergeron visited Robert Cantu, the neurologist who has been monitoring his progress, and team physician Bert Zarins. Cantu did not clear Bergeron for game play. Bergeron is scheduled for a follow-up appointment with Cantu in approximately one week. Game 7, if necessary, is scheduled for Monday.

"It's disappointing," Bergeron said. "I'd like to be out there to help the guys. But obviously I've got to listen to the doctors and do what's best for me."

Bergeron has not suffered any setbacks or symptoms since being cleared for full-contact practice. However, Cantu and Zarins want Bergeron to go through more on-ice sessions to build his strength. Bergeron has participated in only two full-length, full-contact practices.

"Morning skate is not where you're going to have contact," said Bergeron. "They're just worried about the fact that I've had only two real practices. They thought more time was a good thing to do. Obviously, it's something where there's nothing I can do but follow what they're saying."

Gerard Cleary, Bergeron's father, also attended the Sunday meeting with the doctors.

"It is difficult for him to accept not playing," said Cleary. "He feels good. He thinks he can play. But they tell him no. I know it's hard for Patrice, but he has to be patient. It was very serious what happened to him. He could be in a wheelchair. Or he could be dead."

Schaefer steps up

On March 27, after being a healthy scratch for five games, Peter Schaefer returned to the lineup, recording a goal and an assist in a 4-2 win over Toronto. After the game, when he was awarded the hard hat by fourth-liners Jeremy Reich, Petteri Nokelainen, and Shawn Thornton, the lid's previous stewards, Schaefer had a message for his teammates.

"Sorry I wasn't here for a lot of the games," Glen Metropolit recalled Schaefer saying. "I'll be here for you."

Schaefer has been true to his words. The third-line left wing started the rally in Game 2 with a third-period goal after crashing the net. In Game 3, after shrugging off a slash by forward Bryan Smolinski, Schaefer picked up an assist on Marc Savard's overtime winner.

"I got to know Peter pretty well during the year," said Thornton. "I played against him in [the finals last season]. At this time of year, he's a pain in the [butt] to play against. He plays hard. I fully expected it. It's good to see it play out."

Formidable fourth

An unlikely candidate will come into tonight's Game 4 as Montreal's leading goal-scorer: fourth-line journeyman Tom Kostopoulos, who has been one of the best performers through three matches.

Kostopoulos scored Montreal's only goal Sunday after crashing the net and tapping his own rebound past Tim Thomas. In Game 1, Kostopoulos recorded a helper on a goal by linemate Smolinski, then added a third-period goal.

Kostopoulos and No. 4 left wing Steve Begin have been wrecking balls during the series, combining for 22 hits.

"They work," said Thornton. "I don't think those guys get enough credit as skilled players. I think Kostopoulos, at one time, was leading the [AHL] in scoring one year when he got called up. They get called the fourth line, but they're three pretty good hockey players."

Girl talk

Top-line center Tomas Plekanec, who had a minus-1 rating in Games 2 and 3, didn't hold back when assessing his play.

"No question about it. I haven't been playing well," Plekanec said. "The last two games, I played like a little girl out there. I have to change it, that's for sure."

On Sunday, Plekanec was on the ice for Milan Lucic's first-period score. The night before, Plekanec was on the ice when Schaefer kicked off a third-period Boston rally.

"I think he knows he can play a little better," said coach Guy Carbonneau. "Those are the realizations that some of the players have to understand.

"We're in the playoffs. In the regular season, most of the time you have more room. Plays are a little easier. You have more time to make the plays.

"Playoff hockey is a little different. You have to leave a little bit of the skills and play with a little more grit. I think he's not the only one. I think we can all do a little more in that."

Where Eagles dare

The Boston College hockey team, which won the national championship Saturday, will be honored prior to tonight's game . . . Bergeron, Alberts, Phil Kessel, Alex Auld, and Manny Fernandez were the only Bruins to practice yesterday . . . Carbonneau said Canadiens captain Saku Koivu (fractured left foot) is due for an X-ray tomorrow. Koivu is not close to returning.

Kevin Paul Dupont of the Globe staff contributed to this report