Florida Panthers defenseman Radko Gudas, the leading hitter in the NHL playoffs, left in the first period of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final after being knocked to the ice. by a crushing check.
Gudas, who’s 6-foot and 208 pounds, was lining up Ivan Barbashev for a hit about seven minutes into Monday night’s game, but the 6-1, 195 Vegas Golden Knights forward did a reverse hit, sending the defenseman flying.
Gudas hit his head on the ice and immediately went to the dressing room after getting up. The Panthers announced during the second period that he would not return to the game.
Game 2: Golden Knights chase Sergei Bobrovsky, rout Panthers
Gudas entered the game with 79 hits, the most in the playoffs, and got two more before leaving. Barbashev has 59 hits, second on the Golden Knights.
Gudas was also second in the league during the regular season with 312 hits.
Florida had dressed seven defensemen for the game, so they still had three defensive pairs after Gudas departed, but they were missing one of their key players for much of the game.
Coach Paul Maurice had no update on Gudas’ status.
“He makes the highlight films because he’s such a physical guy, but the quality of his play is very, very high, so you miss a guy like that when he goes out,” Maurice said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Panthers’ Radko Gudas leaves game after Ivan Barbashev check