Maple Leafs lose Oliver Ekman-Larsson mid-game vs. the Red Wings

Ekman-Larsson left in the first period Wednesday in Toronto's game against the Detroit Red Wings, exiting after falling awkwardly following a puck battle with Detroit forward Lucas Raymond.

It's unclear if the incident with Raymond was the cause for Ekman-Larsson's departure, but he left shortly after the play between the two.

After not returning to the ice, the Leafs announced shorty after the second period that Ekman-Larsson would not return to the game with a lower-body injury.

Ekman-Larsson has eight goals, 23 points, & 31 points in 49 games this season for Toronto, leading all Leafs defensemen in points.

Toronto's blueline is already without Chris Tanev and Dakota Mermis, with William Nylander, Dakota Joshua, & Anthony Stolarz all injured and out of the Leafs lineup.

Additional information from Leafs head coach Craig Berube should be likely to come at the conclusion of tonight's game, with word on Ekman-Larsson's status more clear by tomorrow.

For a Toronto Maple Leafs blueline that has been battered by injuries, a risk runs that time missed could be next for Oliver Ekman-Larsson, the obvious hope being that he avoided any sort of serious issue.

Ekman-Larsson was injured after an incident from his fellow countryman Lucas Raymond. Which will have the Swedish national team holding their breath.

Having been named to Sweden's Olympics roster, along with Raymond, Ekman-Larsson leaving will be monitored by management. With a few weeks to go until then, Swedish leadership will be hoping there is no serious injury to their defenseman.

For the Leafs, they risk being without their leading offensive defenseman, and another key defenseman on the sidelines this season.

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