P.K. Subban taken to hospital after suffering neck injury

Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban was removed from the ice on a stretcher Thursday and has since been transported to hospital with a neck injury suffered in a freak head-first collision with teammate Alexei Emelin.

He is alert, has normal movement in his extremities, and will undergo precautionary testing in hospital, the team announced.

The injury happened late in the third period, when Subban stumbled to his knees while in pursuit of the Buffalo Sabres' Marcus Foligno along the boards. The fallen defender jammed his head during the unsuspecting contact with Emelin, causing an awkward and abrupt twisting motion with his neck.

There was obvious concern for Subban after the game - a 3-2 victory for Montreal - but captain Max Pacioretty told reporters Subban was "responsive" throughout, and talking to players on his way off the ice.

He hasn't missed a game due to injury in his career.

Montreal hosts the Minnesota Wild on Saturday.