Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara’s status for Game five of the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals remains up in the air.

On Monday night, during the Bruins’ 4-2 loss in Game four of the Cup Finals against the St. Louis Blues, Chara left the ice after taking a hockey puck to the face during the second period of play. The incident occurred when Blues forward Brayden Schenn, fired a shot that deflected off of a stick and struck Chara in the face.

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After the game, Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said that Chara received stitches and might require additional dental work at a later date. Cassidy also said that while the training staff advised him to leave out Chara for the remainder of the game, that there was no problem with Chara returning and sitting on the bench for the remainder of Game four. Chara personally asked Cassidy if he could return to sit on the bench because he wanted to be with his teammates.

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“That’s the type of guy he is, come out and be there to support,” said Bruins forward Charlie Coyle. “You never want to see that happen to anyone, especially someone on your team, someone who is such a big part of our team playing-wise, leadership-wise. It’s not an ideal situation, but it’s how you respond to adversity, and you see a lot of it during this time of year.

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Bruins center David Beckes said, “He’s a guy who wants to be out there. He wants to battle and be with the guys. If there’s any chance for him to be back, he’ll be back.” If not, it’ll be next man up again. Whoever our next guy up is will have to fill that role admirably — and they’re big feet to fill.”

Game five of the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals will take place on Thursday at 8 p.m. EST on NBC.

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith won’t appeal his suspension and apologized to Minnesota Wild forward Charlie Coyle for hitting him in the face with his stick on March 25.

Blackhawks’ Duncan Keith Won’t AppeAl Suspension

Keith’s suspension includes the last five games of the regular season and the first playoff game. He missed Friday’s 5-4 road win against the Winnipeg Jets. Keith stated that he “accepted” the NHL’s decision and would not appeal it, and also said he called Coyle to apologize for the infraction and for causing a gash on his face. After being pushed to the ice by Coyle, from his back Keith swung his stick with one hand, catching Coyle right across the face.

“It was obviously a reaction and one that I need to be disciplined [for],” Keith said before the Blackhawks played the Bruins on Sunday afternoon, according to the Chicago Tribune. “We talked about that as a team and things like that. Obviously there’s a limit and I [have] to know that. I will.”

This is not the first incident of an infraction Keith has committed and that caused him to lose his temper. Keith was suspended for a game during the Western Conference finals in 2013 for high-sticking the Los Angeles Kings’ Jeff Carter, and in 2012 he was suspended five games for elbowing the Vancouver Canucks’ Daniel Sedin.

Keith has stated that he will work towards preventing similar incidents in the future.

“I’m going to have to,” Keith said. “It’s just knowing that line, and I feel I’m a competitive person but I don’t think that’s something that I can’t stop. I think I can stop that. Move on and move forward and when I come back be as good as I can be.”

Keith called Coyle to apologize, but his call went to voicemail. After leaving a message, Coyle called Keith back to discuss the incident.

“I was appreciative of that,” Keith said. “It says a lot about the player and type of guy he is. That’s about it. They’ve got a good team and they’re playing well. I wished him the best after.

“It’s a dangerous play and I was glad to see he came back and it wasn’t worse,” he then added.

Keith, the reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner, says he is confident his team can win their first playoff game without him.

In a video announcing the suspension, the NHL department of player safety called Keith’s action “an intentional and retaliatory act of violence by a player with a history of using his stick as a weapon.”

Keith will also forfeit $148,883.35 under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, based on his average annual salary.The Blackhawks, the defending Stanley Cup champions, have clinched a playoff berth and are third in the Central Division, at 45-26-7 with four games left to play. The Blackhawks defeated the Bruins at home 6-4 on Sunday, and will next host the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday night.

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Caption:CHICAGO, IL – FEBRUARY 28: Duncan Keith #2 of the Chicago Blackhawks looks to pass against the Washington Capitals at the United Center on February 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Capitals 3-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)