Canucks rookie Elias Pettersson left Thursday's game in the second period after a rookie run-in with Canadiens' center Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
Pettersson headed up the ice between the circles in the defensive zone when Kotkaniemi grabbed him and they got tangled. His right leg appeared to twist awkwardly as it was caught between the legs of fellow rookie Kotkaniemi.
Pettersson gets his leg tangled up with Kotkaniemi and goes down in pain. He would stay down for awhile before heading to the dressing room. #Canucks pic.twitter.com/jdJhjiOBze
— Sportsnet 650 (@Sportsnet650) January 4, 2019
Another view of the awkward play that didn't result in a penalty. #Canucks pic.twitter.com/YO9j7Zw8dV
— Sportsnet 650 (@Sportsnet650) January 4, 2019
The 22-year-old center stayed down on the ice for a while before leaving and heading to the locker room. The team announced he would not return with a lower-body injury. There was no penalty called on the play.
Pettersson has 22 goals and 20 assists in 37 games this season and leads all rookies in scoring by a vast margin. He missed time earlier this year with a concussion after being thrown down by Florida Panthers' defenceman Mike Matheson.