Carl Soderberg had been a major factor in the series before Game 5 against the Canadiens. His line was “arguably the best line” according to Head coach Claude Julien in this series. Saturday night, he was the difference maker as he netted his first career playoff goal and added another two assists on the night on route to a 4-2 win and a 3-2 series lead. Soderberg was the owner of the “Player of the Game” jacket for his efforts.

When Soderberg finds the back of the net for the Black and Gold it is usually a great sign. The Bruins are 15-1-1 when the Swede lights the lamp. It was only a matter of time before Soderberg found his name in the scoring column. He has been all over Carey Price this series-hitting posts, cross bars and missing golden opportunities, but on Saturday night he made sure he made them count in one of the biggest games for the B’s this season.

Julien admitted it was going to take a while for Soderberg to get accustomed to the B’s style of play, but it was also important for him to get in better shape for this season-both in which he has done.

“Couple of things you noticed is that he needed to be in better shape, which he did this year-got himself in great shape- and the experience he got throughout the year,” Julien said at his post-game press conference. “Eventually, he just kind of found his game and he’s fitting in extremely well. He’s a big, strong centerman and seems to make great plays and seems to be all over the puck all the time.”

Soderberg knows his line has developed great chemistry over the course of the year and it was evident Saturday night. Loui Eriksson-Soderberg and Matt Fraser were a tough line to match up against and Soderberg admitted it was finally nice to have him and Eriksson find the score sheet.

“Loui (Eriksson) and I, I think we have played good the whole playoffs, but we haven’t scored so it is good both of us scored today,” Soderberg said.

Soderberg has been a force for the Black and Gold all season long since he was moved to the center position. His ability to find the open man is uncanny and his size in front of the net is a weapon. He is playing at a very high level right now, but believes he can play like this the rest of the way.

“I don’t believe in peaks,” Soderberg said. “I think hard work every game that creates peaks. I don’t know, I’ve been pretty good right now, but I think I can play on this level the whole time.”

When asked what it meant to be wearing the “Old Time Hockey jacket” in the post game press conference, Soderberg was very humble.

“It means a lot to me,” Soderberg said. “It means that you, obviously, helped the team win and this jacket, it means a lot to the team. It’s always- that’s what we are, we are a really deep team and we have a lot of guys who are able to be game-important players in a game and can help the team win. Hopefully I can give this jacket away next game.”

Soderberg now has one goal and five assists in the post season while leading the team with a plus-7 rating. Him and the Bruins will look to close out the Canadiens at the Bell Centre Monday night.