Mats Zuccarello’s head injury sustained from a Ryan McDonagh slapper back in the first round of the playoffs was pretty scary, but the Rangers forward was able to skate off the ice on his own power. The shot forced him to miss the remainder of the playoffs, but it wasn’t until the Rangers were eliminated that the frightening details emerged.
Zuccarello suffered a brain contusion and a small fracture in his skull from McDonagh’s shot. The injury even prevented Zuccarello from speaking for a period of time.
Mats Zuccarello had a brain contusion and small skull fracture. Is still in speech therapy. Couldn't speak after injury.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) June 1, 2015
That inability to speak reportedly lasted at least three days. Three days! It’s difficult to imagine what that would’ve been like to go through.
Mats Zuccarello said he had a fractured skull, brain contusion and could not speak for three days. Wow,
— Neil Best (@sportswatch) June 1, 2015
These details show this was much more serious than your typical concussion. However, though the injury sounded pretty horrific, there was apparently a small chance that Zuccarello would suit up if the Rangers made it to the Final. It’s not clear how small of a chance that might have been, but the fact it was even a possibility is simply crazy.
No major complications are expected for Zuccarello despite the contusion and fracture.
Doctors have told Zuccarello he will be able to play next season.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) June 1, 2015
It sounds like Zuccarello was pretty lucky things didn’t turn out even worse and have a greater impact on the rest of his career.
