Boston, MA (SportsNetwork.com) - Boston Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk is expected to be sidelined for a few days after being diagnosed with a sprained back.
Boychuk was taken off the ice on a stretcher early in the first period of Thursday's game against Montreal and Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli gave an update on the blueliner's condition Saturday.
Chiarelli said Boychuk would be sidelined for at least three days and up to a week because of the injury.
Boychuk went into the left-corner boards on Thursday to chase down a puck and was pushed from behind by Montreal's Max Pacioretty. He hit the boards head first and collapsed to the ice.
As he was immobilized and placed on the stretcher, Boychuk never lost consciousness and was taken to Montreal General Hospital. He was able to fly home with the team later that night.
Pacioretty was issued a boarding minor on the play at 4:28.
Boychuk has averaged a little over 21 minutes of ice time per game this season, posting one goal and five assists in 27 contests.
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