Nolan Patrick ‘feels fine’ after taking puck to head on Thursday night

The Philadelphia Flyers had a scare in the third period of Thursday night’s shootout win in Pittsburgh. Nolan Patrick left the game after getting hit in the head with a shot.

Patrick was hit in the side of the head by a Philippe Myers shot and immediately went to the ice. He walked up the tunnel with some help to the locker room and did not return to the game.

Nolan Patrick leaves game after getting hit in head by shot

Alain Vigneault had a short update on Patrick’s status after the game.

“I talked to him briefly,” Vigneault said after the game. “He said everything was fine, caught the puck in the side of his head there, but told me and [Flyers trainer Jim McCrossin] told me that everything was fine.”

That was great news to hear for Patrick.

Anyone getting hit in the head with the puck is alarming, but it’s especially scary for Patrick. The young forward dealt with head issues in the past, including a migraine disorder that caused him to miss the 2019-20 season.

The Flyers held an optional practice on Friday and Nolan Patrick did not take the ice. However, it’s looking like Patrick avoided any serious injury.

“I talked to [Flyers trainer Jim McCrossin] this morning. I haven’t seen Nolan, he took the option today not to skate,” Vigneault said.  “I’m not 100% sure. I do know that the feedback that I got was that everything was good, but I haven’t followed up on it … What I understand is he feels fine at this moment,” he continued.

Vigneault didn’t say anything explicitly about Patrick’s status for this weekend. The Flyers have back-to-back games on Saturday afternoon against the Capitals and Sunday night against the Islanders. Vigneault did say that some players may be held out of the lineup due to load management but didn’t mention any names.

Hopefully, Patrick will be good to go for at least one of this weekend’s games. The fact that he is feeling fine after taking a shot to the head on Thursday night is a promising sign.