Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Matt Carle left Wednesday’s Game 3 midway through the first period after taking a big hit from New York’s Derek Stepan in the neutral zone.
Carle fell to his back following the contact and was slow to get to his feet, which allowed New York’s Jesper Fast to skate free down the middle of the ice on a breakaway and net the Rangers’ second goal.
Carle immediately made his way to the bench and headed into the locker room. He didn’t return to the game after suffering an undisclosed injury.
Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said he wasn’t sure if Carle would be available for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final on Friday at Amalie Arena.