Riley Nash received an insane amount of stitches after taking a Torey Krug shot to the ear

BarDown Staff

Boston Bruins forward Riley Nash after being hit in the ear with a Torey Krug shot. , Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images

Boston Bruins forward Riley Nash has been enjoying a career year in Beantown, but it was abruptly interrupted during a Saturday afternoon tilt with the Florida Panthers. The Consort, Alberta native was forced to leave the game after taking a Torey Krug shot to the side of the head. Players immediately signaled for help from Bruins trainer Don DelNegro.

A scary moment here at TD Garden. Riley Nash takes a puck to the side of the head and needs assistance from trainer Don DelNegro. He heads down the tunnel and to the dressing room.
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 31, 2018

Nash unsurprisingly required stiches, and the amount he received is almost unimaginable. Following the game, Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy confirmed the 2007 first round pick required 40+ stitches.

Cassidy said Riley Nash had 40 stitches inside and outside of his ear, and probably can't even get a helmet on his head right now. He may join team later on the road trip
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) April 1, 2018

Receiving 40 is one thing, but having them on your ear seems impossible!

Nash’s injury is scary, though it may not even be the ugliest this season. Earlier in the year, New York Rangers forward Jimmy Vesey was bloodied after receiving a Zack Kassian skate to the face. Vesey returned to action, but an x-ray afterward showed one of his teeth was submerged into his bottom lip.

That's hockey #SorryMa pic.twitter.com/oeYJg6FgfV
— Jimmy Vesey (@19Vesey) November 11, 2017

Seeing these types of things is never easy and it’s a risk hockey players take when they step onto the playing surface. Nash missed this afternoon’s battle between the Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers, but you can probably count on him being back for the postseason.

(H/T Joe Haggerty)