Nathan Horton’s Game 1 shoulder injury? Blame Jarome Iginla for it

The Boston Bruins could have used Nathan Horton as Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs ended up going three overtime periods against the Chicago Blackhawks.

We’re talking about a player with six game-winning goals and 35 points in 38 playoff appearances. He’s a money performer and an important cog on the team’s top line.

Alas, his night ended at 17:39 of the first overtime, as Horton tangled with Niklas Hjalmarsson in front of the Chicago net and left the ice in pain. He didn’t return to the game, which Boston lost, 4-3.

What happened to him? Think Mel Gibson in “Lethal Weapon”:

According to WEEI, Horton has a “chronic left shoulder subluxation,” with his shoulder popping out of its socket on several occasions during the playoffs. It was popped back into place in Game 1, but he didn’t return to the game and is day-to-day for Game 2, according to Coach Claude Julien. Off-season surgery is a distinct possibility for the pending unrestricted free agent.

Now, how did he suffer this injury? DJ Bean of Big Bad Blog did some sleuthing and traced it back to an April 20 fight, after which Horton missed five games. Who was that fight against? Why, almost-Bruin and target of Boston fan loathing Jarome Iginla, of course:

You know, just in case Bruins fans didn’t have enough reason to be pissed off at Jarome Iginla. More here from Bean and WEEI.

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