Mikko Rantenen's Tuesday-night hit on Alexander Romanov has come with lasting impact.
After evaluating Romanov's injuries, the New York Islanders are preparing for a possibility where the 25-year-old could be out for a while, per Emily Kaplan of ESPN on Thursday. The defenceman is getting second opinion from New York doctors before a final prognosis.
Per Newsday's Andrew Gross, Romanov has remained with the team while undergoing evaluation.
The destructive hit happened late in the third period as the Stars were pressing at six-on-five to tie the game. Rantanen was skating in on the forecheck when he made contact with Romanov, sending him face-first into the end boards.
Romanov immediately appeared to be in pain and required assistance to skate off the ice. Rantanen was assessed a five-minute major for boarding and ejected from the game. No further discipline was enforced. Rantanen was seemingly knocked off balance by the stick of an Islander checking him.
Romanov was placed on injured reserve by the Islanders on Wednesday with an upper-body injury. He has one assist, 31 hits and 31 blocked shots through 15 games this season, averaging 19:27 of ice time per game.
Islanders head coach Patrick Roy was insistent that Rantanen should have been more aware of the situation.
"When you see the number, you have to lay off. Everybody knows that. You don't go through the guy," Roy said, post-game. "To me, it's disrespectful for our guys. ... That should not be part of our game."
0:46
2:04