COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Columbus defenseman Zach Werenski will miss the rest of the postseason because of a broken cheekbone.
The Blue Jackets announced the decision Monday, one day after the 19-year-old rookie took a puck to the face on a shot by Pittsburgh's Phil Kessel that opened a gash on Werenski's right cheek in the second period.
Playoff hockey... pic.twitter.com/4GNoLYVECu
— Zach Werenski (@ZachWerenski) April 17, 2017
He played a couple shifts in the third period with a full facemask, but his eye swelled shut and he had to sit out the rest of the game. He tweeted a photo of his face after the game that showed his eye nearly swollen shut.
Pittsburgh won 5-4 in overtime for a 3-0 lead in their first-round series. Game 4 was Tuesday night when the Blue Jackets beat Pittsburgh 5-4 to stay alive. Defenseman Kyle Quincey made his playoff debut for Columbus as a replacement for Werenski.