Zdeno Chara's status ahead of Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final is unclear after taking an errant puck to the face during the Boston Bruins' Game 4 loss Monday, head coach Bruce Cassidy said following the contest.
As St. Louis Blues forward Brayden Schenn attempted a shot from the faceoff circle, the puck deflected off Chara's stick, caught him up high, and left him bloodied.
*BLOOD WARNING
— Here's Your Replay ⬇️ (@HeresYourReplay) June 4, 2019
Zdeno Chara takes a puck in the face ... heads off to the room pic.twitter.com/JlWbqsEtiX
The play occurred just over three minutes into the second period, and the Bruins captain headed directly to the locker room. Chara returned to the bench for the start of the third frame wearing a full face shield, but he didn't play a shift.
Cassidy said Chara was "very uncomfortable and was advised not to return," and added that the defenseman just wanted to be on the bench with his teammates.
FISHBOWL CHARA pic.twitter.com/mbmy9OTVsb
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) June 4, 2019
Chara was cut open in Game 1 of the series as well after taking a slap shot in the forearm.
