NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 24: Mats Zuccarello #36 of the New York Rangers leaves the game with an injury and did not return in the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 24, 2015 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Penguins 2-1 to win the series and move on to the next round of the playoffs. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The frightening details of Mats Zuccarello’s head injury

Mats Zuccarello’s head injury sustained from a Ryan McDonagh slapper back in the first round of the playoffs was pretty scary, but the Rangers forward was able to skate off the ice on his own power. The shot forced him to miss the remainder of the playoffs, but it wasn’t until the Rangers were eliminated that the frightening details emerged.

Zuccarello suffered a brain contusion and a small fracture in his skull from McDonagh’s shot. The injury even prevented Zuccarello from speaking for a period of time.

That inability to speak reportedly lasted at least three days. Three days! It’s difficult to imagine what that would’ve been like to go through.

These details show this was much more serious than your typical concussion. However, though the injury sounded pretty horrific, there was apparently a small chance that Zuccarello would suit up if the Rangers made it to the Final. It’s not clear how small of a chance that might have been, but the fact it was even a possibility is simply crazy.

No major complications are expected for Zuccarello despite the contusion and fracture.

It sounds like Zuccarello was pretty lucky things didn’t turn out even worse and have a greater impact on the rest of his career.

About David Rogers

Editor for The Comeback and Contributing Editor for Awful Announcing. Lover of hockey, soccer and all things pop culture.

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