Maurice: Tkachuk's hit on Scheifele 'could have ended' his career

Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice doesn't believe Mark Scheifele's injury Saturday night was the result of an accident.

Scheifele left Winnipeg's 4-1 loss versus the Calgary Flames minutes into the opening frame after colliding along the boards with Matthew Tkachuk. The Flames forward seemingly hit Scheifele in the back of the leg with his skate, sending the Jets forward to the ice writhing in pain.

"It was intentional. It was a filthy, dirty kick to the back of the leg," Maurice said, per Sportsnet. "You can't see it on the program feed, but you take the blue-line feed and you zoom in. He went after the back of his leg. Could have cut his Achilles. Could have ended the man's career. It's an absolutely filthy, disgusting hit."

Tkachuk denied postgame that he intentionally tried to injure Scheifele.

"I feel terrible. Such a great guy," Tkachuk said, according to ESPN's Greg Wyshynski. "It's not good for the game when someone like that isn't in the game. It was an accident and I feel terrible about it."

Patrik Laine also suffered an ailment Saturday, injuring his hand late in the game. Maurice said both Laine and Scheifele will see specialists Sunday, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.