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Seattle Kraken forward Jaden Schwartz dodged a massive bullet Saturday night, giving head coach Lane Lambert and the home crowd a major scare.
The veteran winger took an accidental skate to the face late in the first period against the visiting Ottawa Senators.
It was the type of terrifying collision that immediately quiets a loud building and sends a chill down your spine.
Ottawa forward Nick Cousins lost his edge and went tumbling to the ice during a routine physical engagement along the boards.
As Cousins fell backward, his legs violently whipped upward into the air.
The heel of his skate collided flush with the facial area of the unsuspecting Kraken forward.
Schwartz immediately crumpled to the ice, prompting athletic trainers to jump over the boards without hesitation.
Blood was clearly visible on the playing surface near the faceoff circle as the medical staff arrived.
Every player in the league knows how fast a routine play can turn into a tragic medical emergency when steel blades get elevated.
Luckily for everyone involved, Schwartz took the brunt of the impact from the hard plastic boot rather than the sharpened runner.
The veteran showed his absolute toughness by getting up and leaving the ice under his own power.
He headed straight down the tunnel to receive immediate medical attention and repairs from the training staff.
The Kraken desperately need his leadership and grit as they navigate a heavily congested Western Conference playoff race.
Seattle completely struggled to find their offensive rhythm without him, trailing the Senators 2-1 at the end of the second period.
Ottawa suffocated the home side defensively, holding Seattle to just five total shots on goal through forty minutes of action.
Dylan Cozens fired home his 23rd marker of the year to give the Senators the lead, capitalizing on a crisp passing sequence.
Jacob Melanson managed the lone tally for the Kraken earlier in the frame to briefly tie things up.
While dropping points on home ice hurts, keeping a core piece like Schwartz out of the hospital is the only thing that truly matters tonight.
Previously on Seattle Hockey Daily
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Terrifying moment as Jaden Schwartz takes skate to the face
Will Jaden Schwartz miss significant time due to this scary collision?