Patrice Bergeron Suffered Strained Oblique During Playoffs, Won't Need Surgery
BOSTON (CBS) -- Patrice Bergeron was one of the best faceoff men in the entire NHL this season, so when he was stuck on the wing for Games 6 and 7 against Washington, it was apparent that his undisclosed injury must have been serious.
Bergeron revealed Friday that the injury was a badly strained oblique, which was the reason for his limited role in the series. He also said he broke his nose.
After taking 1,641 faceoffs during the regular season (and winning 59.3 of them), Bergeron took just one draw combined in Games 6 and 7.
"It had an impact, I think, as far as faceoffs were concerned," coach Claude Julien said after the Game 7 loss in overtime. "You look at tonight, and we really struggled, especially with our right-handed centermen. That's where a guy like Bergeron comes in handy, and when you win draws, you start with the puck, so we didn't start with the puck as much as we'd like to tonight, and that certainly wears on you throughout the game."
Bergeron said that he suffered the oblique injury in Game 3, a 4-3 win, and aggravated it again in Game 5, a 4-3 loss.
He said he won't need surgery but just needs time to let the injury heal.
