Henrik Lundqvist: 'If I kept playing I could have had a stroke'

New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist provided more detail about the neck injury that will keep him out for at least three weeks on Sunday, calling the injury "a sprained blood vessel" and saying that "if I kept playing, I could have had a stroke."

New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist provided more detail on Sunday about the neck injury that will keep him out for at least three weeks, calling the injury "a sprained blood vessel" and saying that "if I kept playing, I could have had a stroke."

Lundqvist sustained the injury on Jan. 31 after taking a puck to the throat in a game vs. the Carolina Hurricanes. After a few moments down on the ice, he remained in the game and also played in the Rangers' next game, Monday vs. the Florida Panthers. Both were wins for the Rangers, but the 32-year-old goaltender was reportedly experiencing intermittent headaches and underwent a series of examinations on Wednesday.

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The Rangers released a short statement on Friday that only said Lundqvist "suffered a vascular injury," and that he would be sidelined for at least three weeks until he is revaluated.

On Sunday, Lundqvist addressed reporters before a game against the Dallas Stars in New York.

"I feel good..it's more accepting that I need to rest and I need to heal"- #NYR @hlundqvist30 pic.twitter.com/KRktsRbXxa

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 8, 2015

#NYR @HLundqvist30 calls his injury "a sprained blood vessel" and says "if I kept playing I could have had a stroke..right now have to rest"

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 8, 2015

#NYR @HLundqvist30 "You don't play around with this, it's not like a sore shoulder or something..you have to listen to the doctors"

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 8, 2015

"I feel great, but you don't want to push this injury..you can't take a risk on this..you need to have a good plan"- #NYR @HLundqvist30

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 8, 2015

Lundqvist won't be re-evaluated for at least 2-to-3 weeks, and he can only do light cardio until then, reports NHL.com.

Backup Cam Talbot replaced Lundqvist in goal for Thursday's 3-2 Rangers win over the Boston Bruins. He also was in the net for New York's 3-2 loss to the Predators in Nashville on Saturday.

In 39 games this season, Lundqvist went 25-11-3 with a 2.25 goals-against average.

- Mike Fiammetta