Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb was hospitalized Thursday night after taking an 87 mph slap shot to the face during Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Carolina Hurricanes.
The incident occurred midway through the first period when a shot from Carolina's Nikolaj Ehlers struck McNabb square in the face. He dropped his stick, went to the ice, and immediately skated off covering his face.
ESPN reported early in the second period that McNabb had left the arena for a local hospital. Head coach John Tortorella said he had no update after the game.
McNabb was coming off a three-assist performance in Game 1. He is one of three original Golden Knights remaining from the franchise's inaugural season.
"You lose a guy like Nabber who logs heavy minutes, such a good teammate, plays the game so hard, it's tough," captain Mark Stone said.
Despite leading 2-0 in the third period, Vegas lost the lead late. Carolina's Seth Jarvis scored the overtime winner to even the series 1-1 before the teams head to Vegas.