NHL clarifies bizarre concussion protocol incident with Kings' Quick

A confusing scene in Monday's matchup between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Los Angeles Kings prompted the NHL to provide some clarification.

In the first period, Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick was pulled from the game by a concussion spotter, but didn't appear to go through the entire protocol and returned soon after.

Here's a clip of the collision in question:

And a rundown of what transpired afterward:

• Quick was hit in the head by a teammate's fist/stick, causing him to fall to the ice
• Minutes later, concussion spotters made the choice to pull him from the game
• Backup Darcy Keumper took the ice, as Quick underwent a brief evaluation
• Before play resumed, Quick tried to come back, only to be forced to sit on the bench until the next stoppage, per NHL rules
• Quick returned to finish the first period and remainder of the game

The NHL later offered the following ruling and explanation, per Sportsnet's John Shannon:

In short, since Quick wasn't struck by a shoulder, his removal from the game was not mandatory, and the Kings were then able to rule him healthy enough to return. Much like everybody else, Quick was left befuddled by the entire situation.

"You gotta ask the league. I don't know what they were doing. I don't know what the f--- happened," the goaltender told Sportsnet's Luke Fox.