Tyler Seguins explosion at the end of the playoff series against the Washington Capitals seems all the more remarkable when it was learned hell likely need offseason surgery.
Seguin showed an enlarged knuckle on his left hand middle finger that indicated a displaced tendon injury suffered during Bostons last trip through Florida in March, and something he played through pain with during the postseason.
Asked he had taken a couple of painkilling shots to get through the postseason, Seguin smiled and said I think everybody was doing a little something by the time the playoffs rolled around.
Its hard to feel good about what happened, but getting a feel for the playoffs was something I was happy about."
Seguin finished with two goals in the final two playoff games against the Capitals after getting shut down for the first five games of the series, and said it definitely bothered him at points after it originally happened. The 20-year-old also said the injury would require surgery before he jumps back into his offseason training program with BioSteel Sports up in Toronto. He may try to participate in World Championships before getting his hand worked on, but its definitely an inevitability for the youngster.
I have to talk to the doctors, but Ill definitely need something. In the first period during my second shift the tendon came out. It was one of those things that I had to playing through at the end of the season and the playoffs, said Seguin. It wasnt going to get any worse, so as long as I could bear the pain. Its a couple of weeks of recovery after I get it done.
It wasnt anything that was going to keep me from playing. At the time I was going to miss a few games. I was a game time decision against Philly during that game in our building when we ended up winning in the shootout. But I didnt end up missing any time.
Boston Bruins
Clearly the youngster was happy with the way things ended for him after getting an overtime game-winner in Game 6 and serving as one of the teams best forwards in the decisive Game 7. But he was also among a group of top six forwards that didnt get it done consistently enough to defeat a gritty Capitals crew that never back down.
Seguin also wants much more involvement on the power play moving forward, and that can mean nothing but good things for the Bruins.
The power play has always kind of been my thing, said Seguin. During my whole life Ive always liked the power play and its always been a part of my game. While Im still gaining experience I think Ill be finding even more spots on the power play. Its something I can only improve on.
The Bs leading scorer said he hopes to take on more of the Marc Savard role on the man advantage off the half-wall where he can use his versatile skill to serve as a triple threat when he curls and drags: he can shoot with deadly accuracy, find open teammates with passes all over the ice or taking the puck straight to the net.
Thats what Im hoping for. Its still a lot different than juniors where I always thought was kind of my go to in juniors. At the NHL level theres that learning factor and finding spots on the ice.
Coming a season where he was Bostons leading scorer and an All-Star performer, power play magician for a unit that went 2-for-23 against the Capitals might be the next rabbit to be pulled out of the youngsters hat.