Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Roman Polak (46), of the Czech Republic, lies on the ice after being injured during the second period of Game 2 against the Washington Capitals in an NHL Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Washington, Saturday, April 15, 2017. (AP Photo/Molly Riley)
Republished April 15, 2017 - 9:19 PM
Original Publication Date April 15, 2017 - 5:55 PM
WASHINGTON - Maple Leafs defenceman Roman Polak was forced to exit Game 2 against the Capitals and will miss the remainder of the season according to coach Mike Babcock.
Polak left after a scary collision with Brooks Orpik late in the second period Saturday night.
Orpik came up to deliver a hit on Polak near the blue line of the Washington zone, with the two banging legs. But it was how Polak fell that appeared to cause the damage, his right leg crumpling awkwardly under his body. He yelped in pain immediately and signalled to the bench for help.
The 30-year-old remained down on the ice and unable to move for a few minutes. He was finally helped off the ice by teammates and a trainer while putting no weight on his right leg.
Toronto is already without Russian defenceman Nikita Zaitsev, who's missed Games 1 and 2 of a first-round series with Washington with a suspected concussion.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2017