Bruins center Patrice Bergeron will miss next two games with lower-body injury
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 22: Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins looks on during the first period of the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at TD Garden on October 22, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
By Ty Anderson, 985TheSportsHub.com
The Bruins will once again have to skate without top-line center Patrice Bergeron in their lineup, and it’s yet another “lower-body” designation that’s landed the 34-year-old on the shelf for the next two games (at the very least).
“Similar [injury], same area,” Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said of Bergeron’s ailment. “They think this is the best way to go for now…just want to make sure that when he’s in the lineup he’s not gonna put himself at further risk.
“Medical staff will keep on top of it and go from there.”
Bergeron missed two games earlier this month with the vague “lower-body” injury, but made his return to action in last Thursday’s win over the Sabres, and had totaled five assists and won 24 of his 40 battles at the dot. Usage did not seem to be an issue for No. 37 in either contest, too, as he logged regular shifts, and in all situations.
Cassidy noted that there has not yet been talk of any surgical procedure to address Bergeron’s lower-body injury, which is a positive, but it’s hard not to think of the groin problems that have routinely plagued Bergeron’s seasons in recent years.
With Bergeron out for Tuesday’s game against the Canadiens and Wednesday’s meeting with the Senators, the Bruins moved David Krejci to the first line between Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, and recalled forwards Brendan Gaunce and Jack Studnicka from the P-Bruins.
Gaunce, who has six goals and 15 points in 117 career NHL contests, has six goals and 11 points in 14 games with Providence this season. Studnicka, meanwhile, has nine goals and 18 points in 21 AHL games this year.
