Jack Eichel is taking a beating in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final.
The Golden Knights star center left in the second period of Game 4 on Saturday after taking a shot to the neck from teammate Jonathan Marchessault.
MORE: Panthers vs. Golden Knights Game 4 score, updates, highlights
Eichel crumpled to the ice but then got up under his own power and went down the tunnel with less than a minute remaining in the second period.
Jack Eichel went straight to the locker room after getting hit in the neck by Marchessault's shot#VegasBorn | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/DHXkogEeO5
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) June 11, 2023
It's the second time in this series that the Vegas forward has left a contest. In Game 2, Eichel was on the receiving end of a massive hit from Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk. He ended up returning in the third period of that game and helping the Golden Knights to a 7-2 win.
Eichel has been an integral part for the Golden Knights' success this postseason. He has been one of their top offensive performers, entering Game 4 with 23 points in the playoffs, including five in the series against the Panthers.
MORE: Stanley Cup Final preview for 2023 NHL playoffs
The Sporting News has the latest updates on the status of Eichel.
Jack Eichel injury update
Eichel left Saturday night's contest with 53 seconds remaining in the second period. He was not on the Vegas bench to start the third period but returned in the opening minutes.
He was battling for position in front of the net when a snap shot by Marchessault hit him in the neck. He was getting cross-checked from behind by Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling but was able to turn his head enough to avoid taking the puck directly in the face.
Jack Eichel caught a puck up high and headed straight for the dressing room. pic.twitter.com/iORWIKR4H8
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 11, 2023
It appeared as if Marchessault's shot was deflected by the stick of Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, which caused the puck to ramp up high and toward Eichel's head. It did not appear that the shot drew blood.
Considering the time left in the period, it made sense for the center to go down the tunnel and get checked by the training staff just before the second intermission.
