Zdeno Chara Leaves Bruins-Islanders Early, Status Unknown

BOSTON — The Bruins announced during the second period of Thursday night’s home game against the New York Islanders that captain Zdeno Chara will not return.

He left the game in the first period with about 8:12 remaining, shortly after a collision with Islanders captain John Tavares. The replay below shows that Chara’s knee bangs into Tavares’, but the Bruins have not released any injury details.

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Chara’s night ended after 4:13 of ice time.

Without their No. 1 defenseman, the Bruins put Dennis Seidenberg on the first and third pairings at different times throughout the second period. New York scored two goals after Chara’s exit and took a 3-1 lead into the third period.

UPDATE (10:00 p.m.): Bruins head coach Claude Julien gave no update on Chara after the game. He also wouldn’t reveal if the B’s captain is dealing with an upper or lower body issue.

“We won’t know anything until he sees the proper people in the medical staff,” Julien said. “So nothing right now.”

GIF via Twitter/@MyRegularFace

Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images