Maple Leafs John Tavares flashes thumbs up while being stretchered off ice after scary injury
Tavares #Tavares
Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares was injured in a terrifying freak accident on Thursday during the team’s opening game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Montreal Canadiens. After being knocked to the ice in the first period on a seemingly routine play, Canadiens forward Corey Perry accidentally kneed Tavares in the head as the Toronto captain was attempting to get up to resume play.
In the interest of sparing you the visual of the stomach-churning play, here’s a link to a tweet of the moment at full speed. But be warned, it’s a really scary injury so click at your own risk.
In the aftermath of the chilling injury, trainers from both the Maple Leafs and the Canadiens were able to get Tavares onto a stretcher. Thankfully, Tavares flashed his teammates and fans at home a reassuring thumbs up on his way off the ice.
The Maple Leafs and Canadiens showed their support for John Tavares after a scary collision in Toronto.
Tavares gave the thumbs up as he was being stretchered off. pic.twitter.com/1OpiVLXmOu
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 21, 2021
A thumbs up from John Tavares #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/MwjDAPcXZT
— SiriusXM NHL Network Radio (@SiriusXMNHL) May 21, 2021
It’s so great to see Tavares giving an indication that he was okay in the moment the trainers stretchered him off the ice. Canadian media reported that after the hit, Tavares was being transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.
The Canadiens themselves tweeted a message of support for Tavares in the moments after his injury.
Nous sommes troublés par le terrible accident impliquant John Tavares et lui envoyons nos meilleures pensées.
We’d like to express our concern for John Tavares and are sending him our best wishes for a speedy recovery.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) May 21, 2021
Let’s continue to hope that Tavares will be okay long-term and recovers swiftly after such a traumatic injury.
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