During the first period of their preseason game versus Montreal, John Tavares was taken out by a brutal and unecessary check from Michael Pezzetta, who caught Tavares in the lower half after he disposed of the puck.
Tavares was very slow to get up and he skated gingerly to the Toronto bench once he got to his feet.
This definitely is not a good sign for a Leafs team already missing Auston Matthews amongst others. Maple Leafs fan aren't too happy about the incident either, calling for Pezzetta to be punished in some fashion. Pezzetta, a bottom-six forward who was drafted in 2016 is known for throwing his body around, leading the Canadiens in hits for the 2022-2023 season, but there's no excuse to throw his like the one he did on Tavares.
Well it didn't take long for John Tavares to be back on the ice for the Maple Leafs after his scary collision with Montreal's Michael Pezzetta, and it paid off in a big way as he scored the opening goal for the Maple Leafs to go ahead 1-0 in their preseason bout vs. the Canadiens.
We hope it's nothing serious for Tavares and he can power through whatever ailment he has. It's a good sign to see Tavares not only back on the ice but contributing in the ways that Maple Leafs fans know he can and Maple Leafs fans can breathe a sigh of relief, at least for now.
POLL | ||
26 SEPTEMBRE | 102 ANSWERS John Tavares taken down by cheap shot from Canadiens' Pezzetta Will the Toronto Maple Leafs defeat the Montreal Canadiens in their preseason bout; even with the injury? | ||
Yes | 93 | 91.2 % |
No | 9 | 8.8 % |
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