Toronto Maple Leafs captain and center John Tavares will remain overnight in the hospital for further testing after he took a knee to the head in the first period of Thursday’s playoff game against the Montreal Canadiens. Tavares was conscious and communicating well, and initial tests came back “clear,” Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said.
A little more than halfway through the first period, Tavares was knocked down by Ben Chiarot and, as he fell to the ice, was hit by the knee of Corey Perry as he skated by. The game stopped so medical staff could attend to Tavares. He was eventually taken off on a stretcher and transported to the hospital.
The entire Leafs team came off the bench to see Tavares before he exited. The 30-year-old gave a thumbs up as he was taken off the ice.
“Life comes into play at that point,” Toronto winger Nick Foligno said. “… The game takes a back seat in that situation, no matter the circumstances.”
Perry said he tried to jump over Tavares when his knee caught his head.
“I honestly felt sick to my stomach when I saw it, and when I saw (Tavares),” he said.
The Canadiens went on to win the game 2-1.
This story will be updated.
