MONTREAL -- New York Rangers forward Derick Brassard left Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Montreal Canadiens with what appeared to be a back injury and his status for Game 2 is up in the air.
Brassard was rocked by a thunderous, open-ice hit from Montreal defenseman Mike Weaver in the first period, after which he was slow to get up.
"He came on my blindside," Brassard said after the game, "but it's the playoffs and I need to be aware of being hit."
Brassard received medical attention on the Rangers' bench from the team's head athletic trainer but then headed off for the dressing room. He did not return to the game.
After the 7-2 win for New York, coach Alain Vigneault said Brassard is "day to day," but he did not specify if it was an upper- or lower-body injury.
When asked if he will be able to play in Game 2 on Monday, Brassard said: "Not sure. We'll see how I feel tomorrow. I didn't feel like I could help the team [after the hit] so we'll see how I feel tomorrow."
The 26-year-old Brassard, who hails from Hull, Quebec, has four goals and seven points this postseason. He centers the team's most effective forward line that also includes Mats Zuccarello and Benoit Pouliot.
