Patrice Bergeron Reveals He Played Through Tough Injury

The NHL season is now shockingly over for the Presidents' Trophy-winning Boston Bruins. And for their captain, Patrice Bergeron, the seven-game series loss was a bitter pill to swallow. In more ways than one.

In the aftermath of a disappointing Game 7 overtime loss, Bergeron admitted that he played the three games in which he participated, with a herniated disc in his back.

“I have a herniated disc in my back, so that’s why I missed the four games and tried to rush to come back,” said Bergeron. “Obviously it’s stiff, but it’s definitely not something to use as an excuse. It is what it is. Everybody is battling something in the playoffs, but it’s unfortunate the way it happened on a fluke play."

Bergeron injured himself in the final game of the regular season, a game in which, in hindsight, there was really no need for him to play.

The B's captain finished with an uncharacteristic minus-6 in the trio of games against the Florida Panthers, with just one point. And if it's his last hurrah, it's unfortunate he had to go out hurting.

Having wrapped up his 19th NHL season, the 37-year-old has a decision to make about his future. But for now, he was just busy hugging it out with teammates and saluting the crowd post-game.