The Toronto Maple Leafs may left New Jersey with a big two points, but they did not leave completely unscathed, losing a pivotal piece in their top-six in Ilya Mikheyev.
Mikheyev scored the go-ahead goal - his 8th of the season - in the first period to put the Leafs up 2-1 over the hosting Devils, but the wheels began to fall off for the Buds, as they gave up 3 in the second, and would trail 4-3 heading into the third frame.
Leafs captain John Tavares scored the tying goal a little over 8 minutes into the period, but what happened moments later was quite scary for the Leafs bench and for those in attendance.
Jesper Bratt made an aggressive push toward the net and was knocked off balance as Mikheyev came in to engage him, and as a result, he caught an errant skate off the right wrist, prompting the big Russian winger to drop his glove and skate quickly toward the Leafs trainers, leaving a trail of blood clear across the defensive zone and straight to the bench. The video can be seen below:
An in-game update on the status of Mikheyev was promising. Though it was known that he would not return to the game, the trainers' update reached the broadcasters, who announced that Ilya would be "okay".
Moments later, it was confirmed that Mikheyev needed to be rushed to the Hopsital.
The Leafs would go on to win the game in overtime, but showed consistent concern for their teammate throughout the remainder of the game and during the media scrums following.
On Saturday morning, it was confirmed that Mikheyev severed tendons and an artery in the deeply lacerated wrist. He underwent surgery late Friday evening to repair the damage and is expected to make a full recovery.
There is no clear timetable for return in this case, but the Leafs' medical staff is expected to re-evaluate Mikheyev in three-months, at which time an update will be provided.
The Leafs are 12-4 through their last 16 games, and "Mickey" has been an absolute work-horse this season. This is a huge loss for a Leafs squad that has suddenly found its rhythm and is on pace to finish with 111 points.
We will get our first look at the Leafs' lineup without Ilya Mikheyev tonight, when the Leafs take on the New York Rangers.
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Source: NHL.com
