Isles' Boychuk leaves after taking skate to face

New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk left Tuesday's loss to Montreal in the third period after being struck near the eye by an opponent's skate blade.

Islanders coach Barry Trotz said he had no update on Boychuk after the game, adding, "It's pretty scary, obviously, around the facial/eye area. He's being obviously evaluated."

With about 11 minutes remaining, Boychuk was checking Montreal's Artturi Lehkonen from behind while both were in front of the Islanders' goal crease, and Lehkonen fell forward. As Lehkonen fell, his right skate came up behind him, and the heel of the skate blade hit the face of Boychuk, who was bent over slightly.

Boychuk immediately fell to the ice and clutched at his face in obvious pain. After a moment, he quickly got up, skated off the ice and headed straight to the locker room with medical staffers.

"It's a scary situation," captain Anders Lee told reporters afterward. "You hate to see that happen. It happens quick, skate up in the face. We'll go check on him here. That's where all our minds are right now, that's for sure."

Boychuk, 36, has two goals and nine assists in 64 games this season.

A 13-year NHL veteran, Boychuk has spent the last six years with the Islanders. He has 54 goals and 152 assists in 724 career games.

--Field Level Media