Stepan injury causing controversy

Danny Briere of the Montreal Canadiens is hard pressed to believe the extent of Derek Stepan’s injury. The lack of information is partly to blame.

Briere told ESPN that, “I think it seems a little fishy to me. It seems like a little bit of a game.”

Brendan Gallagher agrees, stating, “He got up and he was yapping and yelling. So, I’m sure the jaw isn’t hurting too much.”

Whether the extent of the injury is being blown out of proportion is unknown. Stepan did play two periods after the injury occurred, not knowing that his jaw was broken until the next day.

Either way, Stepan did undergo a surgical procedure to repair the injury and is apparently recovering at home.

Brandon Prust, who was suspended two games for the hit which injured Stepan, is apologetic.

"“It’s an unfortunate injury. Unfortunate for him, and unfortunate for me. My mindset is not trying to injury anybody. And Step is a friend of mine. My main focus on the hit was keeping my elbow tucked, trying to make sure I got him in the chest.”"

Prust also reached out to Stepan, apologizing via text for the incident.

"“I reached out to him, I texted him, just told him: ‘I feel awful,”‘ Prust said. “I didn’t want to injure anybody, especially a friend of mine. I told him exactly what I told you guys, it was my first shift and I was just trying to create some body contact. I feel awful. You never want to hurt anybody. I hope he recovers well.”"

Stepan apparently responded, though short, making Prust believe he understands it was an accident. Prust is unhappy with missing the two games, although he understands that because an injury did occur, a suspension of some sort was imminent.