A turnover next to the Vancouver Canucks’ net proved very costly for defenseman Dan Hamhuis.
Hamhuis coughed the puck up during the third period of Wednesday’s 2-1 win over the New York Rangers, and Derick Brassard swooped in to scoop it up. Brassard then dropped a pass back to Dan Boyle, who sent a wicked slap shot toward Canucks goalie Ryan Miller.
Before it could reach Miller, however, the puck elevated and nailed Hamhuis directly in the face, sending him tumbling to the ice in pain.
The bloodied blueliner managed to skate off the ice with help from his teammates and was transported to an area hospital. Vancouver coach Willie Desjardins told reporters after the game the impact more than likely left Hamhuis with a broken jaw.
Hamhuis has played in 27 of the Canucks’ 30 games this season, tallying four assists and posting a plus-7 rating.
Thumbnail photo via Anne-Marie Sorvin/USA TODAY Sports Images
