New York Rangers’ goaltender Antti Raanta left the game midway through the first period after receiving a point blank slap shot to the forehead.

By Chris Wengert



New York Rangers net minder Antti Raanta took a point-blank slap shot to the forehead off of the stick of Thomas Vanek.

You could literally hear the shot deflect off of Raanta’s mask (video below).

The part of a goalie mask where the puck hit Raanta is one of the thinner parts of a helment, and should be reason for concern.

Henrik Lundqvist is now in net for the Blueshirts, and has been solid after coming in cold. There has been significant discussion since the injury over who would be the goalie if The King were to get injured, and that man is Santino Vasquez according to MSG.

Rangers will need to rally around Lundqvist and protect the puck if they plan on winning this game.