Zdeno Chara will be out for at least the Boston Bruins next game against the Washington Capitals as he is having a follow-up procedure to a jaw injury, sustained in last year’s playoffs.
Zdeno Chara to Undergo Jaw Procedure
Per #NHLBruins coach Bruce Cassidy, there will likely be another tweak up front tomorrow against Washington.
Zdeno Chara is out against Caps. Will have a scheduled follow-up procedure on his jaw. pic.twitter.com/l6hCmoHU4e
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 22, 2019
So far this season, Zdeno Chara has scored five goals and eight assists for 13 points to go along with 32 minutes in penalties. His possession numbers were 46.3 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of 2.9.
Over his 22-year NHL career, Chara has played for the New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, and Boston Bruins. He has 205 goals and 450 assists for 655 career points in 1522 career games. He was originally drafted by the New York Islanders in the third round, 56th overall in the 1996 NHL draft.
What Chara’s Injury Means for the Boston Bruins
Chara’s broken jaw leaves a gaping hole in Boston’s defence. The 42-year-old captain might not be as quick on his feet anymore, but the physicality that the 6’9” defender brings to the table is unmatched. Candidates to step up to the top defensive pairing include Brandon Carlo and Torey Krug. This depends on if head coach Bruce Cassidy wants size and strength or speed and agility from his top defenders. While pairing Carlo and Charlie McAvoy would bring a high level of play into the defensive end, giving Krug a larger chunk of playing time allows them to unfold a more dynamic offensive gameplan.
No matter who takes the spot in the meantime, Chara should not be out for long. The procedure he is undergoing will involve removing plates that were put in when his jaw was initially broken. The Christmas break in the schedule gives the star defender time to heal up. Boston’s fanbase will hopefully see him back on the ice when the team comes back to a home and home with a Buffalo Sabres squad looking to get themselves back into playoff position.
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