The Washington Capitals lost standout rookie Ryan Leonard in the first period of Friday's game against the Anaheim Ducks.
Leonard exited after taking a hit from Ducks defenceman Jacob Trouba behind Anaheim's net. Trouba appeared to catch Leonard up high, leaving the Capitals forward down on the ice and bleeding as Leonard's teammates came to his defence.
Just ahead of the third period, the team announced he would not return after suffering an upper-body injury
Post-game, head coach Spencer Carbery told reporters that both Leonard and Charlie Lingren, who also suffered an upper-body injury, were "going to be out."
Trouba was initially assessed a five-minute major, but after officials reviewed the play, the penalty was rescinded. Capitals defenceman Jakob Chychrun was given two minutes for roughing after the hit.
Leonard immediately went down the tunnel and did not return to Washington's bench to start the second period.
"I saw it coming, he knows exactly what he’s doing, and the kid's in a vulnerable spot," said Leonard's teammate, Tom Wilson, of Trouba's hit. "Obviously, Leno's pretty banged up. I asked him to fight and he said no, so we'll leave it at that."
The 20-year-old Leonard had played 4:38 with one shot on goal before exiting. He entered Friday's contest on a four-game point streak, which lifted him to seven goals and 18 points on the season.
Trouba has been at the centre of some controversial hits in the past. The former New York Rangers captain has been suspended twice in his career and fined four times for his on-ice actions.
