The Boston Bruins will be forced to hit the home stretch without one of their best players.
Forward Patrice Bergeron is out with fractured right foot and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, the team announced Tuesday.
Bergeron suffered the injury while blocking a shot during the Bruins’ loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. He underwent an X-ray after the game that came back negative, according to the team, but left in a walking boot.
Bergeron played the following day, logging 17:59 of ice time in a 4-1 loss to the Sabres in Buffalo. He underwent a CT scan Monday in Boston, though, which revealed a small fracture in his right foot.
The 32-year-old has been one of the team’s best offensive players this season, entering Tuesday with 54 points and a team-high 27 goals in 55 games.
Per Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy, Riley Nash will take Bergeron’s spot on the first line alongside Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, while David Backes will replace Bergeron on the team’s top power-play unit.
Cassidy also confirmed newcomer Tommy Wingels, acquired Monday ahead of the NHL trade deadline, will play Monday night against the Carolina Hurricanes on Boston’s third line alongside Backes and Danton Heinen.
