Maple Leafs' John Tavares Hospitalized with Injury After Taking Knee to Head

Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher during Thursday's Game 1 matchup against the Montreal Canadiens after he took a knee to the head.

The Maple Leafs later announced Tavares had been transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.

The 30-year-old center tallied 19 goals with 31 assists in 56 games this season, following up a 2019-20 campaign that saw him post 60 points. He had a career-high 47 goals in his first year in Toronto (2018-19), including an NHL-best 37 from even strength.

If Tavares misses time, Mitchell Marner, Auston Matthews and William Nylander will need to carry the offense for the Maple Leafs, who lost 2-1 Thursday and next play Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.