The Boston Bruins defense was hit with a major blow Thursday night when Zdeno Chara suffered ligament damage to his left knee during a 3-2 loss to the visiting New York Islanders. Chara is expected to be sidelined four to six weeks.
Chara sustained the injury in the first period as the Bruins fell below .500 after winning two straight games.
ESPN Boston reports that the 6-foot-9 defenseman may need surgery, but Bruins head coach Claude Julien had no update on the bruising Bruins captain after the game.
"No, no report yet," Julien told the affiliate before confirming the extent of Chara's injury. "I haven't even checked in on the situation. First of all, we won't know anything until he sees the proper people in the medical staff. Nothing right now."
Chara went to the locker room with 8:13 remaining in the first period after putting a big hit on Islanders captain John Tavares. He didn't appear injured and was able to stay on the ice after the check, but he didn't return to the game after his departure.
If Chara is in fact out for a month or longer, it will be a big blow to the Bruins blue line as Chara and Dougie Hamilton have been the team's top unit.
"It's very tough," said defenseman Dennis Seidenberg, who slots alongside Torey Krug on the team's second pairing. "[Chara is] our leader and it's always tough when a guy like that goes down. We have to embrace the opportunity and play better and make up for that if possible."
Boston was already short-handed on defense with Kevan Miller (dislocated right shoulder) on injured reserve and Johnny Boychuk traded to the Islanders.
Chara, 37, had two goals and an assist through nine games for the Bruins (4-5-0), while averaging 21:41 time on ice.
The Bruins visit the Toronto Maple Leafs (3-3-1) Saturday night.
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