David Banks-Imagn Images

Blackhawks’ Andre Burakovsky leaves game vs. Kraken with injury

Originally posted on Daily Faceoff | By Mike Gould | Last updated Nov 21, 2025 12:52 AM ET

Chicago Blackhawks forward Andre Burakovsky left Thursday’s game against the Seattle Kraken after being on the receiving end of a huge open-ice check by Ryan Lindgren late in the first period.

Burakovsky, 30, logged 6:20 of ice time over seven shifts before being knocked out of the game with just over two minutes to play in the opening frame. With the Blackhawks entering the zone on the power play, Burakovsky cut across the middle of the ice with his head down before being forcefully separated from the puck by Lindgren.

The Blackhawks confirmed during the first intermission that Burakovsky would not return to the game, which Seattle won by a 3-2 final score. In his post-game media availability, Chicago head coach Jeff Blashill remarked that he thought Lindgren should have been penalized for the hit and added that Burakovsky will also miss Friday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres.

Andre Burakovsky heads to the locker room after taking a big hit from Ryan Lindgren. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/mmMU4YAdFi
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) November 21, 2025

Coincidentally, it was the Kraken who sent Burakovsky to Chicago back in June in exchange for Joe Veleno. The 6’3″ winger has been a solid addition to an up-and-coming Blackhawks team, collecting seven goals and 15 points through his first 18 games in Chicago colors.

Originally a first-round pick (No. 23 overall) of the Washington Capitals in the 2013 NHL Draft, Burakovsky made his NHL debut with the Capitals in the 2014-15 season and won the Stanley Cup with the club in 2018. Facing salary cap constraints, the Capitals traded Burakovsky to the Colorado Avalanche in 2019; three years later, in his final season with the Avs, the Austrian-born Swede won his second championship.

Burakovsky signed a five-year contract worth $5.5 million annually with the Kraken in 2022, but he struggled to remain healthy over his three seasons in the Pacific Northwest and was ultimately traded as a salary dump with the expectation that Chicago would find a greater use for him. He’s spent much of the early stages of his Blackhawks tenure on Connor Bedard’s right flank.

Through 714 career NHL games over parts of 12 seasons with the Capitals, Avalanche, Kraken, and Blackhawks, Burakovsky has collected 160 goals and 402 points. He’s added 20 goals and 47 points in 93 playoff contests.

This article first appeared on Daily Faceoff and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: