Alright, folks, we’ve got ourselves a Boston Bummer! Things were looking great for the Bruins, but with a lethargic performance in Game 2, they got blown out by the Panthers with a 6-3 scoreline that tied the series. And now, the controversy around Bergeron’s absence is ramping up faster than a Zamboni on steroids.

Why did he play in the regular-season finale against the Canadiens in Montreal? It’s not like they were fighting for a spot in the postseason or home-ice advantage. The guy is a veteran player, and everyone knows he deserves some rest. But nope, he chose to play and got injured after the first period. Good call, buddy.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane, shall we? Last year, the Bruins got eliminated by the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, and the rumor mill started churning out stories that Bergeron had played his last game for the team. He had been with the team since 2003, which is like a century in hockey years. The guy is practically a fossil. He battled through injuries, including a concussion in 2007 and a separated shoulder and punctured lung in 2013. I mean, come on, dude, just retire already.

Bergeron did decide to return for another season, and everyone was happy about it. But now, he’s out of the playoffs, and people are asking questions. The Bruins had an incredible season, with the most victories and most points in NHL history, and they’re getting pestered by the Panthers in the first round. The Panthers, mind you, are not exactly the Gretzky-era Oilers, if you know what I mean.

There are three possible scenarios here, folks. The first is that Bergeron comes back, and the Bruins win the Stanley Cup. Bergeron then gets to add another mention on the Cup to his resume before he retires. The second scenario is that Bergeron doesn’t come back or has limited participation, and the Bruins still win the Cup. In this case, Bergeron would still be considered a top contributor, thanks to his stellar regular season.

The third and worst-case scenario is downright scary. Bergeron doesn’t play in this series, and the Panthers topple the mighty Bruins in the first round. That would be a total nightmare for Boston sports fans. Imagine the hollering if the playoffs come to a premature conclusion with him standing around up in Level 9 or watching from a back room.

But let’s not forget, Bergeron doesn’t need another Stanley Cup to cement his legacy as one of Boston’s all-time greatest athletes. He may not be on our imaginary Mount Rushmore of Boston Sports, which consists of Orr, Brady, Williams, and Russell (and maybe Ortiz and/or Bird for some of you), but he’s still a Top 20 all-timer, which is saying a lot in this city.

And let’s not forget, folks, Bergeron is one of only 14 still-active Boston athletes who have played on a championship team in this century. I mean, that’s pretty impressive. The Bruins trio of Krejci, Marchand, and Bergeron, along with Slater of the Patriots, are the only athletes from the four teams who were around when the city was rocked by the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013. Bergeron was one of the leaders in the team’s efforts to help the city heal.

So, what’s next for Bergeron? Who knows? Maybe he’ll be fit to play in Game 3 on Friday night in Florida. Or maybe the waiting game will continue. Either way, it’s a kerfuffle nobody saw coming as the Bruins were charging into the playoffs.

Serious News: nytimes