Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Muzzin, carried off the ice on a stretcher in Game 2, has been ruled out for the rest of the best-of-five qualifying round series against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

He was released from the hospital and returned to his hotel to begin quarantining. Under the NHL's current quarantining rules, Muzzin, because he left the bubble, must quarantine four days and have four negative Covid-19 tests before he can rejoin his teams. The NHL has the discretion to reduce that, and that might be done because Muzzin was at a hospital where safety protocols are in place.

This injury leaves the Maple Leafs with a gaping hole to fill on defense. Muzzin plays more than 20 minutes per game is among the team's most consistently dependable players.The Maple Leafs haven't said who will replace Muzzin, but it could be Martin Marincin who played 26 games this regular-season. He's more defensive-minded. Like Muzzin, he's also a penalty killer. The Leafs could go with Rasmus Sandin if they want more offense.

Muzzin, 31 was hospitalized after suffering an undisclosed injury as a result of a collision with Columbus player Oliver Bjorkstrand. Muzzin was killing a penalty behind the Toronto net when he was cross-checked by Pierre-Luc Dubois. As Muzzin stumbled, his head collided with Bjorkstand's leg.


















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Killing a penalty behind the Leafs’ net in the waning minutes, Muzzin careened out of control after a cross-check from . His head collided with ’s left leg and Game 2 ground to a halt for 15 minutes while Muzzin was attended to by team, league and emergency medical personnel.

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