UNIONDALE, NY - MARCH 03: New York Islanders Defenceman Johnny Boychuk (55) grabs his face after getting kicked in the face by a skate from Montreal Canadiens Left Wing Artturi Lehkonen (62) during the third period of the National Hockey League game between the Montreal Canadiens and the New York Islanders on March 3, 2020, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.

Boychuk needed 90 stitches after skate cut his face, no timetable for return

Icon Sportswire / Getty

New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk needed 90 stitches to repair a cut to his face after being struck by a skate during Tuesday's game, general manager Lou Lamoriello announced Wednesday.

Boychuk only suffered damage to his eyelid, not his eye, Lamoriello added. There is no timetable for his return, but Boychuk is expected to make a full recovery.

The incident occurred in the third period of the Islanders' game against the Canadiens. Montreal forward Artturi Lehkonen fell to the ice in front of New York's goal and clipped Boychuk on the way down.

SCARY!#Isles Johnny Boychuk takes #Habs Artturi Lehkonen's skate in the face pic.twitter.com/KyViUvgtX3
— Here's Your Replay ⬇️ (@HeresYourReplay) March 4, 2020

Boychuk, 36, is in his sixth season with the Islanders. The veteran blue-liner has posted two goals and nine assists in 64 contests in 2019-20 while averaging over 17 minutes per night.