Evaluation:

Turns out Patrice Bergeron With A Sports Hernia is...well, still Patrice Bergeron.

The 31-year-old center reportedly played most of the season with that nagging injury, one that required offseason surgery.

It was hard to tell.

Bergeron looked like himself for the majority of the season. He played in all situations, was effective at shutting down the best players on the opposition, was a face-off wizard, etc.

Bergeron finished the season with 20+ goals for the fourth season in a row, posting 21G-32A-53PTS totals. He scored twice and added two assists in six playoff games as well.

He remained a possession monster as well. Bergeron finished the season with a 61.8 CF% at 5v5, the highest number of his NHL career.

Bergeron spent the year alongside Brad Marchand, and was a key factor behind Marchand’s monster year.

The duo played with a variety of right wings, but the two of them were far and away the Bruins’ most consistent offensive performers over the course of the season.

They had chemistry, you could say.

Bergeron did have offensive struggles over the course of the season, perhaps a sign of that hernia starting to get to him. He had two nine-game goal droughts, one in December and one in March.

However, let’s be honest: Bergeron’s overall game gives him some leeway to go quiet offensively from time to time.

Bergeron earned another Selke nomination this year for his defensive play, and should probably win again.

Just Patrice being Patrice.

Grade: A-

Statistics:

Age: 31

Games Played: 85

Goals: 23

Assists: 34

Points: 57

Shooting-%: 7%

Final Aggregate CF%: 61.8%

OwnThePuck Visual: