Injury Update: Nash, Backstrom and Thomas leave Tuesday

It was a busy night in the NHL and a busy night for team trainers as three key players were forced from games and did not return.

The New York Rangers trip out west took a turn for the worse on Tuesday. They were rocked 9-2 by the San Jose Sharks and they lost one of their best players in the process. Rick Nash, who missed four games with a concussion last season, left the game after taking an elbow to the head from Brad Stuart. The Rangers did not release an update on Nash’s status after the game, but expect some more information later in the day.

Niklas Backstrom was hurt when he was crashed into by Predators forward Eric Nystrom. Nystrom was in a foot race with Keith Ballard and proceeded to lose his balance and fall hard into the Wild netminder. Backstrom’s right leg was driven into the post and he left the game with a lower-body injury.

Minnesota head coach Mike Yeo said “he didn’t know the severity and Backstrom would be reevaluated Wednesday in Minnesota.”

Backstrom was unavailable to the media last night, but was reportedly limping noticeably.

Lastly, the 39-year-old Tim Thomas left with what the Panthers are calling a “slightly pulled groin.” Thomas appeared to injure himself on a long shot from Sean Couturier and then unsuccessfully reached over to stop the second shot from the right half-boards. Following the goal Thomas skated off of the ice and did not return. Jacob Markstrom played very well in relief, stopping all 25 shots he faced.

Editors Note: Expect an update on all THREE of these players at some point today.