Adam McQuaid Injury: Updates on Bruins Defenseman's Upper Body and Return

Boston Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid suffered an upper-body injury on Tuesday night against the Washington Capitals.

Continue for updates.

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McQuaid Leaves Game After Scary Hit

Tuesday, Jan. 5

With a little less than five minutes gone in the second period, McQuaid chased a loose puck to the left boards, where he was hit from behind by Washington's Zach Sill. McQuaid hit the boards face-first and lay motionless for a few worrisome seconds.

After McQuaid was helped off the ice, the Bruins announced that he would not return to the game and had suffered what they described as an upper-body injury.

A timetable for a possible return has not been released as of yet.

This was the type of dirty hit the league has tried to eliminate over the past few seasons. Players have been urged not to hit opponents who have their backs facing them along the boards. While the hit fit that description, no penalty was assessed.

CSNNE.com's Joe Haggerty commented on the play: "Zach Sill finished Adam McQuaid hard into the boards from behind. No penalty on ice. That's atrocious. Dangerous hit to vulnerable player. ... The NHL Department of Player Safety will be reviewing the Zach Sill hit from behind on Adam McQuaid from the second period."

For a team battling for a playoff spot nearing the halfway point of the season, seeing one of its best defensemen go down isn't going to help its postseason chances. Entering Tuesday, McQuaid was second among Bruins defensemen with a plus-six rating, trailing only Zdeno Chara's plus-nine.

On a defensive unit with the likes of Chara, Torey Krug and Colin Miller, all of whom can provide two-way play, McQuaid is more of a stay-at-home defenseman who adds plenty of grit to the Bruins' blue line.

If the 29-year-old is in need of extended recovery time, Boston can turn to Kevan Miller. The 28-year-old who made his debut in 2013 has appeared in 31 games this season with a plus-three rating and nine points.

Stats courtesy of Hockey-Reference.com.