The Florida Panthers are down, but not yet out. The same could be said about one of their big centres.
Nick Bjugstad took a hard fall into the boards during Friday’s Game 5. It was an accidental play that appeared to be a toe pick, and Bjugstad fell face-first onto the corner of the dasher. He stayed down for a few moments before being helped off the ice. He did not return.
After the game, Panthers coach Gerard Gallant updated Bjugstad’s condition, but did not rule him out for Game 6.
“He got some stitches in his head there, I know that, but besides that I don’t know anything more.
“All I know is he got stitches in his head and he didn’t come back. I don’t think it’s that serious but we’ll see tomorrow.”
Through five games this series, Bjugstad has two goals and two assists. Despite leaving Game 5 early, he logged 19:56 of ice, which was his second-highest total so far.
The Islanders won the game 2-1 in double overtime on an Alan Quine goal.
With files from Thomas Drance.