BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Sabres-Blackhawks game on Monday was marred by a scary moment in the first period when Sabres right wing Jason Pominville was carted off on a stretcher after being hit into the boards from behind by Chicago defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson with 5:42 to go.
Pominville was skating toward the puck near the right boards in the Buffalo zone 20 feet inside the blue line when Hjalmarsson sent him flying into the boards, causing his head to hit the glass violently.
Pominville sustained a concussion and a gash above his eye that required 7-8 stitches on the play, while Hjalmarsson was given a 5-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct. The Sabres were unable to capitalize on the man advantage.
Hjalmarsson could face a suspension after the league reviews the controversial hit.
"You never want to see someone laying on the ice like that," Hjalmarsson said. "I thought it was a shoulder-to-shoulder hit. It's good to know that he's up and walking, and hopefully he'll get back as soon as possible."
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff didn't speculate whether or not he thinks Hjalmarsson will be suspended.
"It'll be interesting," he said. "[Hjalmarsson] made a big mistake. He caught a player in a tough spot."