Blackhawks’ Frank Nazar to Face Sabres After Losing Two Teeth

In a gritty display of resilience, Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar is set to take the ice against the Buffalo Sabres after a harrowing incident that cost him two front teeth. The injury occurred during the second period of Saturday’s 5-3 defeat to St. Louis, when a puck struck him squarely in the face.

Despite the painful setback, Nazar remains optimistic about his return, donning a protective cage for the game. “Got it pretty good, but could be a lot worse,” he remarked, expressing gratitude that the injury wasn’t more severe.

The 22-year-old Nazar has faced challenges before; he was sidelined for a month after breaking his jaw from a similar puck-related incident during a 6-4 loss at Ottawa on December 20. However, he made a strong comeback on January 22 against Carolina, showing his determination to contribute to the team.

Selected in the first round of the 2022 draft, Nazar has made his mark in the league, racking up 15 goals and 26 assists in 64 games during his third NHL season. His commitment to the Blackhawks was solidified when he signed a seven-year extension worth $46.2 million in August.

Joining him on the ice is defenseman Ethan Del Mastro, who is also expected to play against the Sabres after being scratched on Saturday due to an unspecified injury. Both players will be key components as the Blackhawks look to bounce back from their recent defeat.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.