(Montreal) Jonathan Drouin was rushed to hospital for exams, after being hit in the face by a puck during the meeting between the Montreal Canadiens and the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night at the Bell Center.
Posted in net for the Red Wings, Drouin was hit in the left side of the face by a throw from teammate Brett Kulak after about 7:40 of play in the first period. The Quebec striker pivoted and tried to protect himself with his hand, to no avail.
Drouin lost his helmet and collapsed on the ice. However, he quickly got up and headed for the locker room, while touching the left side of his face.
At the end of the first intermission, the Canadian announced that Drouin would not return to the game since he had taken the direction of the hospital to “undergo a thorough evaluation”.
In 10 games before Tuesday’s, Drouin had collected two goals and five assists. He was the team’s best scorer.
Drouin had been placed in the center of Mike Hoffman and Josh Anderson for the meeting against the Red Wings.
The Canadian was already deprived of the attackers who could evolve at the center Mathieu Perreault (detachment of the retina) and Cédric Paquette (suspension).