Rangers defenseman Stralman hurt in Game 3

NEW YORK -- The New York Rangers played one defenseman short in the third period of Game 3 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal Series against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night.

Anton Stralman did not play a single shift in the final period of New York's 2-1 loss after being injured late in the second period. The 26-year-old appeared to have been injured on a hard hit into the boards from Bruins forward Milan Lucic as Stralman chased a cleared puck behind his own net.

Lucic hit Stralman hard and the defenseman's right shoulder and right leg both appeared to slam into the boards. The Swedish native finished the shift but appeared to be slowed by the check. He returned for a shift roughly three minutes later but did not play again after that and finished the game with 12:25 of ice time.

The Rangers did not divulge any details regarding Stralman's condition, but coach John Tortorella admitted it was a difficult injury for a team that now trails the Bruins 3-0 in their best-of-7 series.

"[It's] huge, he's played so well," Tortorella said of missing Stralman for the final period. "That's a big blow to us, as far as matches and just our depth within our D."

Stralman has played in every game this season for the Rangers, collecting four goals and seven points in 48 regular-season games and no points in 10 playoff games.