Bruins' Jakub Lauko shares gnarly photo after taking skate to face

Jakub Lauko’s modeling career may be over before it starts, but the Boston Bruins forward appears to have caught a break after being cut in the face during Tuesday’s game versus the Chicago Blackhawks.

The 23-year-old provided an update on his status Friday afternoon, sharing a picture of himself via social media with a gnarly scar under a black and swollen left eye. He considers himself fortunate to have avoided a potential career-ending injury.

Lauko left midway through the third period of Tuesday’s contest after he was cut in the face by Blackhawks forward Jason Dickinson, who lost his balance along the boards before contacting his opponent with his left skate.

The second-year NHLer immediately grabbed for his face and was rushed down the tunnel for repairs, ending his night prematurely.

Things could’ve been far more severe had Boston’s training staff not attended to Lauko sooner, or if Dickinson’s skate had cut him any higher.

Due to the nature of his injury, though, Lauko will be out at least a week until the swelling goes down.

“Lauko’s good, thankfully,” Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery said following Tuesday’s game. “Scary, with the skate. He got it in the corner of the eye, but it’s good. Nothing touched the eye…stitched up. Not going to be looking good for a little while.”

A third-round selection in 2018, Lauko made his NHL debut with the Bruins last season, scoring four goals and seven points while averaging 8:52 per night over 23 games. He is without a point in six contests thus far in 2023-24, logging 9:25 per game.

Boston is off to an impressive start despite losing Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci to retirement over the offseason. The club boasts a 6-0-1 record and is the only team in the Eastern Conference without a regulation loss.