Canadiens' Emelin returns after blow to the head from Canucks' Burrows

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexei Emelin left Thursday's contest after taking an elbow to the face from Vancouver Canucks forward Alex Burrows.

Emelin remained down on the ice as the Canucks broke the other way and scored on an odd-man rush. Emelin sat out the rest of the period, but returned to start the third.

After the game, Burrows said he didn't mean to hurt Emelin.

"I was trying to finish my check and my intent was not to hurt him," Burrows told reporters. "I am glad he came back. He looked all right in the third."

Canadiens head coach Michel Therrien said Emelin followed concussion protocol.

"He went to the dark room, passed all (of) his tests, doctor said he was fine to go," Therrien said. "I'm glad Emelin is fine."