Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe took a high stick to the face from Kent Johnson early tonight in Columbus, and the play drew blood.
Johnson was handed a double minor on the play, according to Hockey Patrol. Fans on social media were horrified by the scene, per the same outlet.
It appears McCabe is going to be okay, per the same report, though he was expected to be evaluated during the intermission.
Accidental or not, a stick that high is a stick out of control. The double minor was the right call.
It's like swinging a car door open without looking. Nobody means to catch anyone, but somebody still ends up hurt.
McCabe has yet to record a point this season and sits at -1.
The 33-year-old carries a $4,513,102 cap hit.
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Jake McCabe bloodied in horrifying high-stick incident against Blue Jackets
Columbus scored early, but it was Kirill Marchenko who tied the game for Toronto.
He has been booed every time he touches the puck in his first game back in Columbus.
He came in with 10 points in 10 games for the Leafs.
Adam Fantilli also sent him to the ice with a big check in the first period.
Johnson came in leading the Blue Jackets with 4 goals on a $1,800,000 cap hit.
Matthew Knies is also facing his former team for the first time tonight.
Toronto is already without Chris Tanev on the blue line, so losing McCabe would hurt.
Morgan Rielly sits at -6, and the Leafs' defensemen came in still looking for their first goal.
The Leafs beat San Jose on Monday and are trying to string together their first winning streak of the season.
Can Toronto's blue line hold up if McCabe can't return?
Jim Hiller is already short on the back end, and the next 40 minutes could tell him how short.
This remains a developing story.
A double minor gives Toronto four minutes to make Columbus pay. Whether McCabe is around to see it is the bigger question.
Should Kent Johnson face supplemental discipline for the high stick on Jake McCabe?
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