Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy left about 3 minutes into Saturday’s road game against the Ottawa Senators with an apparent head injury.
The sequence began in the Hawks offensive zone with Brandon Hagel rimming the puck and Murphy dropping down to retrieve it. Senators rookie winger Parker Kelly drilled into Murphy’s back, and Murphy’s head slammed into the glass.
Murphy collapsed, then his head slumped to the ice. Erik Gustafsson and others waved for medical staff to come quickly.
During a five-minute delay, Murphy was immobilized and lifted onto a stretcher as teammates knelt and others from both sides showed concerned.
Murphy gave a thumbs up as he was taken off the ice to players’ stick taps and applause from the crowd.
Kelly was issued a five-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct.
On Dec. 3, Murphy entered the concussion protocol a day after Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin checked him into the boards. Murphy missed three games.
According to the NBC Sports Chicago broadcast, Tyler Johnson also exited the game after the first period. He took a puck to the ear and was placed into the concussion protocol.
Meanwhile, Patrick Kane set up Jonathan Toews for the Hawks’ first goal a minute into the second period. The assist moved Kane into second place on the franchise’s all-time points list with 1,154, breaking a tie with Bobby Hull. Stan Mikita leads with 1,467.
