Frank Nazar Lost Two Front Teeth and Is Going Right Back Out There

Chicago Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar took a puck to the face in the second period of Saturday's 5-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues and lost two of his top front teeth. Yeah, you read that right. And guess what? He's planning to suit up Monday night against Buffalo with a protective cage strapped to his helmet.

"Got it pretty good, but could be a lot worse," Nazar said after the hit. "So pretty thankful."

This Isn't His First Dance With Puck-Related Injury

The 22-year-old has been through this before. Last December, Nazar took a puck to the face during a 6-4 loss at Ottawa on Dec. 20 and broke his jaw. That one sidelined him for a full month before he returned on Jan. 22 at Carolina. So yeah, Nazar knows what it's like to recover from facial trauma on the ice.

Still Producing Like a First-Round Pick Should

Despite the injuries and the setbacks, Nazar is putting up real numbers in his third NHL season. The 2022 first-round pick has 15 goals and 26 assists across 64 games. Back in August, he locked in a $46.2 million, seven-year extension with the Blackhawks, so the organization clearly believes in what he can do when healthy.

Defenseman Ethan Del Mastro is also expected to play against the Sabres after being scratched Saturday with an unspecified injury. The 23-year-old should be back in the lineup Monday.

Nazar's toughness in strapping on the cage and getting back to work is exactly the kind of mentality that keeps a team moving forward. Monday night against Buffalo is going to tell us a lot about whether the Blackhawks can build any momentum.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.