Golden Knights goaltender leaves practice with injury

The Golden Knights can’t seem to catch a break this season. Not even at practice.

Goaltender Robin Lehner left Tuesday’s skate after being stung by a one-timer from center Jack Eichel. Lehner, who has missed the past 10 games with a lower-body injury, appeared to be surprised by the shot, which struck him in the left shoulder.

Lehner kept practicing despite being in clear discomfort, then left the ice before the final two practice drills.

Coach Pete DeBoer did not have an update on Lehner, who also missed five games with an upper-body injury in February, after the skate.

“Wouldn’t be a day (for the) Vegas Golden Knights if we didn’t have someone leave with an injury during practice,” DeBoer said.

Lehner’s early exit came when he appeared to be nearing a return. He practiced with the Knights on Monday for the first time since his last appearance March 8 in Philadelphia.

Rookie goaltender Logan Thompson has received the majority of the workload with Lehner out. Backup goaltender Laurent Brossoit is unavailable for undisclosed reasons, and there is no timeline for his return.

Lehner is 21-15-1 with a .909 save percentage and 2.77 goals-against average. Thompson is 5-4-0 with a .914 save percentage and 2.89 goals-against average.

The Knights need strong performances from whoever is in their crease as they chase a playoff berth with 14 games remaining.

“Everyone’s aware of the situation,” defenseman Shea Theodore said. “We have to make sure we’re playing at our best for the last 14.”

Other updates

DeBoer said defenseman Brayden McNabb will travel with the Knights on their three-game road trip after missing the past 13 games with an undisclosed injury. McNabb was a full participant in Tuesday’s practice after skating in a noncontact jersey Monday.

DeBoer said McNabb will be a game-time decision for Wednesday’s matchup with Seattle. His return would be a huge boost to a blue line that got defenseman Alec Martinez back Saturday.

“I can’t speak (enough) about how greatly our team needs those guys,” right wing Keegan Kolesar said. “They’re tremendous players, great leadership roles. They’re veterans that have gone the distance many times.”

DeBoer said defenseman Nic Hague is week to week with a lower-body injury. He has missed the past six games.

Seattle trip

The Knights will play at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle for the first time Wednesday.

It’s familiar territory for Theodore, who played junior hockey for the Western Hockey League’s Seattle Thunderbirds. The Langley, British Columbia, native said his parents will attend the game.

“They would go down every single weekend when I played there in junior,” Theodore said. “It’ll be good to have some familiar faces in town and check out the city again.”

Contact Ben Gotz at bgotz@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BenSGotz on Twitter.