Maple Leafs captain John Tavares had to be stretchered off the ice after a horrible collision against the Canadiens, leaving NHL fans and media in shock.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs took a scary turn on Thursday night when Corey Perry’s knee collided with John Tavares’ head.
Tavares remained down on the ice before being stretchered off the ice.
The video is genuinely terrifying after a completely accidental collision. Watch with care.
https://twitter.com/HILITINGHOCKEY/status/1395529697862193153?s=20
That is a freak accident and the last thing you ever want to see. Hope John Tavares is ok.
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) May 20, 2021
The right way to handle something like this can be tough. What can you say when a player is clearly hurt like that?
John Tavares’ injury left NHL Twitter in shock
Most people just hoped for the best.
This is really hard to watch. Tavares is in really bad shape.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) May 20, 2021
I have no idea what to say other than I hope Tavares is ok. That was frightening.
— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) May 21, 2021
I am sick to my stomach watching that Tavares injury. Frightening stuff.
— Martian (@LalimesMartian) May 20, 2021
Awful scene here. The stretcher is out for John Tavares.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 20, 2021
Oh man. That is horrific to watch. Hope John Tavares is ok.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 20, 2021
In this case, rivalry ceases to matter. Toronto and Montreal may be at odds in the playoffs, but everyone agreed the situation was horrible to see.
Our thoughts are with John Tavares right now. Rivalry aside. This is scary and no one loves seeing it. Get well JT! #gohabsgo #leafsforever
— Habs Tonight (@habstonight) May 21, 2021
Maple Leafs Players understood the gravity of the situation, along with Perry and Carey Price of the Canadiens.
The #leafs players came over to wish John Tavares well, as did Corey Perry and Carey Price. pic.twitter.com/PHzKCszf0Q
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 21, 2021
https://twitter.com/goaIcaufield/status/1395531500674822149?s=20
The relief couldn’t have been greater when Tavares signaled he was okay as he was stretchered off.
Tavares with the thumbs up as he leaves the ice in a stretcher. 👍🏻 #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/eQGLRPjSft
— Julie Stewart-Binks (@JSB_TV) May 21, 2021
Tavares is now in the hands of medical professionals. The fact that he could put his hand up at all feels like a really good sign.
It’s just a shame a fight had to ensue over what looked like a genuine freak accident.
#LeafsForever newcomer Nick Foligno sticks up for his captain and fights Corey Perry. #GoHabsGo https://t.co/Y95L7nCjem
— Monkey Knife Fight (@mkf) May 21, 2021
This fight right now is kinda stupid.
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) May 21, 2021
Corey Perry didn’t do anything wrong it was a freak accident.
Corey Perry accidentally injured John Tavares, immediately answered the bell afterwards and didn’t throw a single punch. Could tell in his expression on the faceoff he felt awful. Understandable but fight was unneeded. BIG props to Corey Perry right there.
— 🫡. (@obb96) May 21, 2021
Very little is known at this point about Tavares’ status, but the latest updates are at least not negative.
Thursday night’s game was the first of the series for Toronto, the No. 1 seed, and Montreal, the No. 4 seed. It’s the first time they’ve met in the playoffs since 1979, so it promised to be an intense set of games. While it was a hotly awaited matchup, the scene with Tavares is the last thing anyone wanted to see.