Nikita Zadorov reveals he played three playoff games with torn MCL

7 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 2

The Boston Bruins defenceman said he tore the ligament off the bone in Game 3 and still logged 21:52 in Friday's 4-1 Game 6 loss to Buffalo.
Zadorov disclosed the injury after Boston's first-round elimination, saying he had played "a little bit" on the damaged knee through the final three games of the series.
The revelation came as the Stanley Cup Playoffs' opening round neared its end, underscoring hockey's culture of players competing through severe injuries during the post-season.

How does a player with a ligament 'torn off the bone' still compete in the Stanley Cup Playoffs?

Is playing through severe injury true grit or a dangerous gamble that risks a player's entire career?