Former Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk had quite a scare in the Islanders’ 6-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs Thursday night.
Boychuk checked Toronto’s Mitch Marner into the boards late in the second period. As Marner toppled forward, his legs swung up behind him, and his left skate blade clipped Boychuk in the neck.
Boychuk first dropped to his knees, clutching his throat as his teammates called for the trainer. He got back up on his feet and immediately skated to the bench and proceeded directly to the locker room.
Incredibly, Boychuk returned to the game in the third period because, well, he’s a hockey player.