In the first period, Andre Burakovsky blocked a shot with his right hand. Burakovsky returned to the bench, but would be unable to continue in the game. Burakovsky’s hand appeared badly bruised when captured by CSN Mid-Atlantic cameras, and the Swede grimaced in pain when Head Athletic Trainer Greg Smith flexed his hand.
After the game, Barry Trotz updated the media on Burakovsky’s injury and it does not sound good.
“He’s going to miss some time here” Trotz said. “It’s a hand injury. I’ll probably have a better update tomorrow, but he’s going to miss a little bit of time here.”
Trotz was not sure if Burakovsky will need surgery. The team will not recall another forward however. Zach Sanford will suit up Saturday night against the Anaheim Ducks.
If Burakovsky does indeed have a serious hand injury, the Detroit Red Wings gave us a great example tonight of how long the worse case scenario may be. In the first period Nicklas Backstrom was assessed a boarding minor against Detroit defenseman Jonathan Ericsson. Ericsson broke his wrist on the play and will be out six to eight weeks.
What a horrible birthday gift.
11pm update: ESPN is reporting that Burakovsky’s hand is broken.
ESPN is reporting that Andre Burakovsky broke his hand (S/T to @CJC_95) https://t.co/vZd9wEdwsW pic.twitter.com/eMReuMTsDC
— RMNB (@russianmachine) February 10, 2017
11:50pm update: Uh, nevermind.
ESPN is now unreporting that Andre Burakovsky broke his hand https://t.co/vZd9wEdwsW (S/T @jesse_westside) pic.twitter.com/oyzYeEv0CS
— RMNB (@russianmachine) February 10, 2017
