Islanders Johnny Boychuk already back on the ice after frightening injury

After having his eyelid cut by a skate, New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk is incredibly already back on the ice.

It was a terrifying injury. On March 3, New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk took an Artturi Lehkonen skate across his face. Boychuk went down immediately and left the ice as quickly as possible and did not return to the game.

It was a frightening scene at the Barclays Center as the crowd fell silent hoping that the big blueliner, and stalwart on the Isles blueline since 2014, was OK.

We’d find out the next day from GM Lou Lamoriello that the skate didn’t compromise Boychuk’s eye but had rather cut his eyelid. The wound needed 90 stitches to close.

He’s Back

Less than a week later, Johnny Boychuk is already back on the ice with the Islanders. As the Isles took the ice for their practice in Vancouver ahead of their Tuesday evening date with the Canucks Boychuk took shots on Thomas Greiss and Semyon Varlamov.

There’s no timetable for his return at the moment but it’s incredible that he’s well enough to get back on the ice so soon. Again, the injury took place on the third and he’s back on the ice on the ninth. That’s some remarkable Logan-esque healing from the Edmonton native.

As the Islanders try to get out of a six-game slide, they can use any positive news they can get. Getting Johnny Boychuk back, even if he’s just in the dressing room and not on the ice during the game is an incredible boost.

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The impact wasn’t lost on either Mathew Barzal or Noah Dobson -who is playing in Boychuk’s spot in the lineup – both indicated what having Boychuk back meant for the team.