Golden Knights’ Patrick leaves game after hit from Avalanche’s MacKinnon

Nolan Patrick left the game with an apparent injury after he was hit up high by Nathan MacKinnon.

Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon may be getting a call from the Department of Player Safety in the near future.

Vegas Golden Knights forward Nolan Patrick was forced to leave a game against the Avalanche Wednesday after MacKinnon hit him in the head with his shoulder. MacKinnon was given a two-minute minor for interference on the play and remained in the game.

The incident is a scary one but becomes worse due to the fact that Patrick has been dealing with head injuries for most of his career. The injuries kept him off the ice for the entire 2019-20 season with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Vegas acquired him in a three-team trade over the summer that also saw Ryan Ellis go from the Nashville Predators to Philadelphia.

“Obviously, injuries are part of the game, and my concussion was obviously a tough one keeping me out that long,” Patrick said after the trade, according to The Athletic. “It was a pretty scary time, but I’m happy to be healthy now.”

The Golden Knights did not have an immediate update on Patrick’s condition Wednesday.

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