Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares was taken off the ice on a stretcher after taking a knee to his face Thursday night in Game 1 of the team's first-round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens.

Tavares gave a thumbs-up as he left the ice at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto and was later taken to a local hospital. Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said Tavares was "conscious and communicating well" but will remain hospitalized overnight for further testing. He said the tests Tavares has had so far have "come back clear."