Updated: Brendan Gallagher breaks two fingers after blocking blast from Johnny Boychuk

Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher suffered an ugly injury Sunday after blocking a shot from Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk. Gallagher threw off his glove after the block and his left finger appeared to be bent awkwardly. Montreal announced he would not return to Sunday’s game.

Heading into Sunday night’s action, Brendan Gallagher was tied for the scoring lead in Montreal with nine goals and 19 points. But after Sunday night, Gallagher could find himself on the shelf.

With the Canadiens and New York Islanders tied 1-1 with less than eight minutes remaining in the second period, Gallagher got down to block a shot from Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk. Boychuk, who has an absolute cannon from the blueline, wound up and crushed a slap shot that Gallagher appeared to block with his hand. After blocking the shot, Gallagher flipped off his glove and was clutching his left hand:

Near the end of the clip, it’s clear that Gallagher’s hand is in bad shape. It appears as if his left ring finger is bent awkwardly, but the Canadiens did not announce what exactly the nature of Gallagher’s injury was.

That Gallagher remained on the ice as long as he did is a testament to his toughness, but he could have done with heading to the dressing room immediately instead of staying out on the ice. Gallagher’s glove remained off and he looked in immense pain before leaving the ice. Once he got to the bench, he was taken to the dressing room, and the Canadiens announced during the second intermission that Gallagher would be out for the remainder of the contest.

Gallagher is in the midst of a career year and had been nothing short of outstanding for Montreal this season. He was on pace to break the 30-goal plateau this season just one year after notching 20 for the first time in his career. Gallagher was also looking set to surpass the 50-point mark for the first time in his career. In his past seven games, he had scored four goals and nine points.

UPDATE: According to the Canadiens, Gallagher will require surgery on his left hand to repair two broken fingers and will be out indefinitely. Gallagher's surgery is scheduled for Monday.