Barclay Goodrow did not spit out a tooth when he was struck in the face by an errant puck during a game last week in Ottawa.
So, what was it then?
“A part of my mouth that should still be in my mouth, maybe,” said the Rangers’ hard-nosed forward, whose jaw is swollen and discolored.
After missing just one game, the Blueshirts’ loss to the Capitals on Saturday, Goodrow was back in the lineup on Sunday for the club’s 4-1 win over the Kings.
He had to decide whether he wanted to wear a full bowl or a mask and he ultimately went with a bowl, which he said has given him zero visibility issues.
The last time he wore this kind of equipment was when he played minor hockey.
“It’s scary,” Goodrow said. “Obviously just trying to keep it in, fluky thing. I was so close to him, I didn’t have any time to react to it. Next thing I know, it felt like my mouth was in a million pieces. Feel better now. It was tough missing a game, but it was good to be back last game.”
This was a completely new experience for Goodrow, who now has to find ways to take in enough protein while not being able to eat solid food for a month.
Still, Goodrow continued to live up to his man-of-steel reputation.
Remember when he fractured his left foot in the first round of the 2021-22 playoffs and returned by Game 6 of the second round? This is just the kind of player Goodrow is.
Goodrow finished with one blocked shot and a 57.1 faceoff win percentage in 14:29 of ice time against Los Angeles.
“And then to play the game that he did,” head coach Peter Laviolette said. “He’s off for a couple days. It’s not an easy assignment, tougher role. Some pretty good players on that LA team, especially that top line. Really good job by [the fourth line].”
Laviolette has challenged the fourth line with matchups against opponent’s top lines recently.
The trio of Goodrow, Jimmy Vesey and Tyler Pitlick has not only drawn some of the tougher assignments, but they’ve also contributed offensively on certain occasions.
In 96:13 of ice time, the fourth line has been on the ice for three Rangers goals and four against, according to Natural Stat Trick.
They’ve out-attempted the opposition 49-42, while also holding an 18-13 edge in high-danger chances.
Vesey has led the line in goals, collecting three goals in the last eight games, including the game-winner against the Kings.
“I think as a line, we love having those matchups,” Goodrow said. “I think when you’re playing against a top line, obviously, they’re kind of expected to score and we take a lot of pride in that responsibility in shutting them down. I think the two games where we’ve done that for most of our shifts, I think as a line, we’ve played really well. We’ve helped contribute to the team that way. It’s been good. It’s good having the responsibility.”
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