(UPDATE: Report: Bruins’ Chara has broken jaw)
The puck had to travel a little higher, but even guys who are nearly seven-feet tall on skates take a puck to the face every once in a while.
Brayden Schenn’s shot attempt was blocked by Zdeno Chara’s stick, but the deflection sent the puck on a one-hopper up his stick and right into his grill, dropping the 6-foot-9 defenseman to the ice, producing a fair bit of blood in the process.
The play, in the second period of Game 4 vs. the St. Louis Blues (stream here), may never have happened if Chara’s attempt to clear the puck out the Bruins zone didn’t go awry, but alas.
The big man had to leave the game for repairs. He hadn’t returned at the time of this post. UPDATE: Chara has returned for the third period sporting a full-face shield, although he still has yet to play a shift. Moral support, at this point.
Surprisingly, it’s not the first time in these playoffs that Chara has bled his own blood.
In fact, it’s the second time in the past seven days.
Scott Billeck is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @scottbilleck