Montreal Canadiens defenseman PK Subban is out of the hospital after suffering a neck injury against the Buffalo Sabres Thursday night. Subban's injury is not considered serious, but the defenseman will be out against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday.
Subban was injured in the 3-2 win against the Sabres after hitting his teammate Alexei Emelin. The Canadiens announced that Subban will not play in the next game for the team, and Montreal did not give a firm date about when he will return. The defenseman has played in 273 straight games, but that streak will now end on Saturday.
The defenceman was skating towards the right side of the boards behind the Montreal net when he was tangled up with Buffalo Sabres player Marcus Foligno. Subban went down towards the ice, and at that moment, his head knocked into Emelin's backside, pushing his neck awkwardly. He was down on the ice for around 10 minutes and was looked at by the medical staff before being stretchered off.
Subban was able to give the home crowd a signal with his hand as he was stretchered off the ice. Subban was taken to Montreal General Hospital as a precaution, but the team later announced that the injury was "non-serious." Subban was released from the hospital late Thursday after being looked at by doctors.
"It's scary to see that many trainers and doctors on the ice," captain Max Pacioretty said. "Nobody knew exactly what happened. That was the scariest part for me. It looked like a nothing play. It was impossible to concentrate after that."
The 26-year-old later wrote on Twitter Friday morning that he was "feeling good" after the injury. Subban has been the most consistent player for the Canadiens this season, leading the team in points and assists. The team is not currently in the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference, as it is six points back of the second wild card spot.
Montreal opened the season as one of the hottest teams in the league, but they have slumped during the second half of the schedule. The team is currently 32-20-6 with 70 points, tied with the Ottawa Senators in the standings. The Canadiens would have to pass by the New Jersey Devils, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins to make the playoffs this season.
