Brayden McNabb injury update: Why is Vegas defenseman wearing face guard in Game 4?

After blowing a 4-0 third-period lead to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Vegas Golden Knights were able to hold on and win Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final in double overtime. With a win on Tuesday night, Vegas would be just one win away from its second Stanley Cup in four seasons.

As you watch Vegas try to take a stranglehold of this championship hockey series, you might notice Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb wearing a face guard. In case you’re not caught up on the events of this series, McNabb has a good reason for giving his face extra protection.

You see, McNabb caught an unlucky break when he took a puck to the face during Carolina’s win in Game 2. He was taken to the hospital for further evaluation, but otherwise now appears to be OK. The face guard is just a proactive measure that he will likely wear for the rest of the Stanley Cup Final:

Here’s hoping we don’t see any more scary injuries during the rest of a Stanley Cup Final that has been so electric so far.

McNabb has been a member of the Golden Knights since 2017-2018, their inaugural NHL season. He was a member of their 2023 Stanley Cup championship team.