Adam Boqvist‘s second year just got a bit harder as he was injured by a Zac Dalpe pass to the chin tonight. He left the game and did not return. After the game, coach Jeremy Colliton said that Boqvist was suffering from concussion symptoms.
Another look at Zac Dalpe's backhand shot hitting Adam Boqvist in the face. #Blackhawks #CBJ pic.twitter.com/oGrvta8Lri
— Brandon Cain (@brandonmcain) April 12, 2021
Colliton says Boqvist has concussion symptoms.
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) April 13, 2021
Adam Boqvist Injured
Boqvist was defending the Columbus Blue Jacket when an attempted backhand chipped up and caught Boqvist on the chin. He didn’t return to the game.
The Chicago Blackhawks defenceman is building off his first season last year, where he picked up four goals and 13 points in 41 games. So far this year he’s at two goals and 15 points in just 32 games. Eight of those points are on the power-play, as the team has clearly handed the 20-year old the reins. The eighth-overall pick from 2018 has been showing why he was selected so high. Any prolonged absence is going to hurt.
What Now?
The Chicago Blackhawks will miss him badly, as he is their power-play driver, getting 3:30 there per night. Veteran Duncan Keith is still on hand and will take the first powerplay slot. But behind him, the team’s best offensive defenceman is a very green – and currently in the minors – Nicholas Baudin. If this injury keeps Boqvist out for an extended amount of time, expect a call.
It’s hard to picture the loss coming at a worse time, as Chicago is in a dogfight for the final playoff spot in the Discover Central Division. Going into Monday’s game, they were just four points back of the Nashville Predators with a game in hand. They briefly held fourth until Nashville’s recent 10-2 streak put them back into position.
No one expected to see Chicago this close to a playoff spot this late in the season, so they don’t want to let it go easily. Adam Boqvist is a big loss, but if anyone can bring his game up to cover it – hopefully briefly – it’s going to be Duncan Keith.
