Seattle Krakens’ Andre Burakovsky leaves the game with a lower body injury

Seattle Kraken forward Andre Burakovsky sat out Tuesday night’s game against the New York Islanders with a lower body injury.

Andre Burakovsky will not return to tonight’s game (lower body).

— Seattle Kraken PR (@SeattleKrakenPR) February 8, 2023

The incident appeared to occur in the first period when Burakovsky advanced towards the Islanders area with forward Matt Barzal behind him. He looked uncomfortable and limped his way slightly to the bench, down the tunnel to the locker room. He was not on the bench for the second period. Burakovsky recorded just 0:21 of ice time.

The 27-year-old has a team-leading 39 points (13 goals, 26 assists) in 48 games this season. He is among the leading forwards for time on the ice with an average of 16:53 per game. Burakovsky signed a five-year, $27.5 million contract with the Kraken this summer; the contract has a cap of $5.5 million. He posted career highs in goals (22), assists (39) and points (61), helping the Colorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup. Burakovsky was also instrumental in the Washington Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup run where he scored two goals in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, helping the Caps reach the Cup Final. Stanley for the first time since 1998. Originally drafted 23rd overall in 2013 Drafted into the NHL by the Capitals, Burakovsky had 334 points (136 goals, 198 assists) in 567 career games.

This is the Krakens’ first game since hiatus for the weekly break and All-Star. They are currently tied for first in the tight Pacific Division race with a 29-15-5 record for 63 points.