New York Islanders defenceman Johnny Boychuk left the team’s 6-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday after taking a skate to the face in the third period and did not return.
The incident occurred near the 11-minute mark in the final frame when Boychuk skated into Canadiens forward Artturi Lehkonen, sending him to the ice. Lehkonen’s right skate went up in the air as he braced himself for the fall, catching Boychuk in the face.
The defensive defenceman was seen writhing in pain on the ice and clutching his face before skating off to the dressing room.
Islanders coach Barry Trotz said after the game that there was no update on Boychuk’s condition.
Teammate Anders Lee told reporters that his thoughts were with Boychuk.
“I think he’ll be OK, but it doesn’t matter, it’s a scary situation,” he said. “You hate to see that happen. It happens quick, skate in the face. We’ll check on him here, that’s where our minds are right now, that’s for sure.”
The veteran defenceman has 11 points in 63 games this season for the Islanders, his sixth with the club.
Boychuk has 206 career points across 724 NHL games, with six seasons also spent with the Boston Bruins.
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