Brian Boyle saw just 1:25 of ice-time in the Penguins' 5-3 loss to the Rangers in Game 6 of their first-round Stanley Cup playoffs matchup Friday night after leaving the game due to injury.
It was announced after the game by Mike Sullivan that Boyle is being evaluated for a lower-body injury.
"It's just hard because it's one less penalty killer and he's a good one for us," Sullivan told reporters after the game.
Boyle was injured after delivering a booming hit to public enemy No. 1, Jacob Trouba, behind the Rangers' net during the first period. He was helped down the Penguins' tunnel and did not return:
It's unclear what part of Boyle's lower-body was injured. The video angle makes it tough to tell, but it's possible his foot or leg got twisted around as Trouba fell. There's also Trouba's skate flying into Boyle's thigh, though it at least appeared rather harmless.
"He makes good reads, he's a big body, good shot blocker," Sullivan said about Boyle. "When you go to 11 forwards that early in the game, again, it just places a burden, a physical burden, on the rest of the group. So, that was unfortunate, but we've gotta find a way."
The Penguins will practice Saturday afternoon at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex before taking off for New York for Game 7 Sunday night. An update on Boyle's status should be provided afterward.
