Former Rangers Defenseman Dodges Serious Injury in Playoffs

TL;DR

Former Rangers defenseman Nils Lundkvist avoided a serious injury during the Stanley Cup Playoffs after a skate blade lacerated his face. He will miss Game 5 but is expected to return later in the series.

Key points

Nils Lundkvist dodged a serious injury in the playoffs
He suffered a facial laceration from a skate blade
Lundkvist is ruled out for Game 5 but expected back later

Nils LundkvistDallas StarsMinnesota WildStanley Cup Playoffs

Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

The intensity of the Stanley Cup Playoffs can lead to serious injuries. Luckily former New York Rangers defenseman Nils Lundkvist dodged a catastrophic one in Game 4 between the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild.

Lundkvist left the Stars’ 3-2 overtime loss to the Wild on Saturday with a facial laceration after he was clipped by Michael McCarron’s skate blade during the second period. He’s already been ruled out for Game 5 in Dallas on Tuesday, though coach Glen Gulutzen said he expects Lundkvist back later in the best-of-7 series.

Adding insult to injury, Lundkvist was penalized for tripping the Wild forward on the play, though the Stars successfully killed it off.

The 25-year-old did not return after sustaining the injury, though Lundkvist avoided an overnight stay at a local hospital. He finished the game with one shot and one blocked shot in 10:13 TOI.

Dallas let a 2-1 lead slip away late in the third period, when Minnesota’s Marcus Foligno tied things up at 14:40. Matt Boldy’s goal at 19:31 of overtime won it for the Wild and evened the series 2-2.

A first-round pick (No. 28 overall) by the Rangers in the 2018 NHL Draft, Lundkvist was traded to the Stars for two draft picks, including a conditional first-rounder, on Sept. 19, 2022. The to acquire forward from the on Feb. 9, 2023.