Matt Duchene is one step away from not being able to play in the NHL.

Normally, I like to put my words into pictures. It adds substance and meat to the bone. But in this case, it was literally a finger that could have prevented Matt Duchene from ever playing in the NHL again. For those who don’t have the reference, on March 26, Duchene got in the way of a shot from teammate Dante Fabbro and the puck hit him directly on the finger. See for yourself.

@br_openice Duchene lost part of his finger blocking a shot 😳 #nhl #hockeyplayer #highlights ♬ original sound – BR_OpenIce

Worst of all, it doesn’t seem to hurt that much and indeed, with the adrenaline of the moment, Duchene revealed that it wasn’t the most intense he’d felt on this side.

Honestly, it didn’t hurt as much as previous times, but I felt weird. I took off my glove, looked at my finger and that was the last time I saw it.”

–

Matt Duchene

He says that at the time, he thought his finger had simply been crushed and that everything was still in place. The medical staff soon realized that, in addition to the dangling tip, there was a tip missing somewhere. It was at this point that the doctor in charge asked him if he had his glove with him to check if the missing piece was there. Luckily for him, the fingertip was indeed there, and he was able to undergo two operations with a rather satisfactory result under the circumstances, thanks to a screw that should enable him to heal properly.

The funniest part of all is that the former Avalanche and Senators player mentions that what he found most difficult in this misadventure was not being able to help his teammates fight to the end to get into the playoffs. I’m telling you, field hockey players are weird bugs!

Gossip

– The oldest of the Tkachuk brothers makes his presence felt.

Welcome to the 2023 #StanleyCup Playoffs, Matthew Tkachuk. 👀 pic.twitter.com/npDgmcBq11

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 18, 2023

– It’s dog but so funny.

Can confirm pic.twitter.com/riugo8nOg6

– Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) April 18, 2023

– A defeat that could have consequences.

🇨🇦”The time has come to look to younger players to take the place of some of the veterans” -@coachdaniele

A look back at the Canadians’ defeat by the Americans ➡️ https://t.co/nVv9Hjn9f8🎙️ @LangloisMario pic.twitter.com/NgwRokDCUO– 98,5 Sports (@985Sports) April 18, 2023

– A very weird play that led to the Bruins’ 3rd.

The puck was resting on Lyon’s pad before DeBrusk knocked it in for the goal 😳 pic.twitter.com/k8Zj8oDWHH

– ESPN (@espn) April 18, 2023

– While Brad Marchand scored his 50th career series goal earlier in the game.

Brad Marchand became the second player in @NHLBruins history with 50 career goals in the #StanleyCup Playoffs, joining Cam Neely (55).#NHLStats: https://t.co/lOcAvP9k0Q pic.twitter.com/iUGR8gZIxu

– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 18, 2023

– Very sad news for this 19-year-old field hockey player who passed away from cancer.

We are saddened to share the news that Braydin Lewis lost his tough battle with glioblastoma late last night with his family by his side at the age of 19. pic.twitter.com/8F0PSp6Whd

– Fort Wayne Komets (@FWKomets) April 16, 2023