Maple Leafs' Muzzin taken to hospital after being stretchered off in Game 2
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Muzzin was taken to hospital after being stretchered off Tuesday following an awkward collision late in Game 2 of his club's qualifying-round series against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Columbus center Pierre-Luc Dubois cross-checked Muzzin behind the Toronto net, and the blue-liner then appeared to hit his head on the leg of Blue Jackets winger Oliver Bjorkstrand.
Here's the cross check from Pierre-Luc Dubois on Jake Muzzin. No penalty for Dubois. pic.twitter.com/AMdu7lFuU4
— The Leafs Nation (@TLNdc) August 4, 2020
Muzzin briefly sat up while talking to a trainer on the ice. It took several minutes for medical staff to place him on the stretcher before removing him.
Toronto confirmed after its 3-0 victory that Muzzin had been hospitalized. The team added that he was alert and could move all of his limbs.
The NHL's quarantine rules could force the 31-year-old rearguard to miss Toronto's next two games. The Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets are scheduled to play Game 3 on Thursday, with Game 4 to follow on Friday.
If Muzzin leaves the "bubble" (aka the Phase 4 Secure Zone) to be hospitalized, it'll take four days at least to be cleared to return to play pic.twitter.com/mRFyW0FkJL
— Kevin McGran (@kevin_mcgran) August 4, 2020
Muzzin is a key member of Toronto's defense corps. He ranked third on the team in average ice time during the regular season, logging 21:36 per night while collecting 23 points in 53 contests.