The Boston Bruins, already without a pair of defenders for multiple weeks, watched another scary shot to a key blue-line patrolman Thursday night.

Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn sent Brandon Carlo head-first into the boards and only received a two-minute minor for boarding on the defenseless hit. Carlo, who’s missed time with concussions before, exited the ice with a trip back to the locker room. Luckily for the Bruins, Carlo did return to the bench as Boston endured a 7-2 loss to the Stars.

Head coach Jim Montgomery did not offer a firm update on Carlo, though he did praise the defenseman’s toughness and his value in the culture of the Bruins.

“He’s a tough competitor,” Montgomery told reporters, per NESN’s postgame coverage. “One thing about Brando is he wears his heart out on the ice. He’s a Bruin.”

Boston needs Carlo healthy as Andrew Peeke and Hampus Lindholm remain sidelined with injuries.

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The Bruins return to TD Garden on Saturday afternoon to host the St. Louis Blues. Boston came back from a 2-0 deficit in the third period to win in St. Louis Tuesday night. Puck drop is set for 1 p.m. ET. You can catch the game, plus an hour of postgame coverage, on NESN

Featured image via Kyle Ross/Imagn Images