Zdeno Chara was forced to leave Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final after being struck in the face with a puck.
The Bruins captain left the game at the 3:07 mark in the second period as blood was dripping from his mouth.
Blues center Brayden Schenn fired off a shot that hit Chara’s stick and deflected into his face. Chara fell to the ice and when he lifted his head there was a blood stain. Cameras caught him with a bloodied mouth as he skated off the ice.
Ouch. 😷
Zdeno Chara headed straight to the dressing room after taking a puck to the mouth. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/q0zZWErwq3
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 4, 2019
The defenseman returned to the bench in the third period with a full cage but had not checked back into the game.
UPDATE: Zdeno Chara has returned for the 3rd period with a full face cage. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/SbOvPQolhI
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 4, 2019
The Blues were leading 2-1 when he was struck but the Bruins quickly scored in Chara’s absence to tie the game at 2-2 heading into the final period.
Boston is already playing without fellow defenseman Matt Grzelcyk, who is in the concussion protocol after a hit sustained in Game 2.
The Bruins entered Game 4 leading the series 2-1.
