Patrice Bergeron Out At Least Two Weeks With Fractured Right Foot
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Boston Bruins are losing their leading goal-scorer for at least two weeks.
Patrice Bergeron is out with a fractured right foot and will be reevaluated in two weeks, Bruins GM Don Sweeney announced on Tuesday.
"It's very disappointing to say the least," Bergeron told reporters at Warrior Ice Arena on Tuesday, sporting a walking boot on his right foot and using crutches to get around. "You never want to step away from it. It's going to be tough tonight to be on the sideline and not be able to be out there with the guys.
"I have two weeks where there's not much that I can do, so patience is the key word right now," he added.
While he hopes to be back as soon as possible, Bergeron wouldn't put a timetable on his return.
"I want to make sure I'm back and fully healthy. Our goal is to get into the playoffs and have a log run. .... That's my goal as well," he said, "Time will tell. I want to make sure I'm healthy, ready to go and can help my team, but I want to be back as soon as possible."
Bergeron suffered the injury in the first period of a loss in Toronto on Feb. 24, but suited up the following night in Buffalo after postgame X-rays came back negative. He experienced discomfort throughout Sunday's loss and knew something was up, so he underwent a CT scan in Boston on Monday, which revealed a small fracture in his foot.
This is a big blow to the Bruins, who currently sit in third place in the Atlantic Division with 82 points. Bergeron leads the team with 27 goals this season and is third with 54 points. His plus-26 rating is second on the team to Brad Marchand's plus-28.
The Bruins have 21 games remaining in the regular season, and Bergeron is confident his teammates will be able to carry the load in his absence.
"I know that we have amazing depth and got even more depth in the last few days. I have full confidence in them and know they're going to be fine. They'll do a great job," he said. "This is adversity and a great challenge for us. I'm glad we're facing it before the last stretch. I think it's going to build character."
Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said that Riley Nash will center Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak for Tuesday night's game against the Carolina Hurricanes.
