Montreal Canadiens centre Jesperi Kotkaniemi suffered a concussion in Thursday’s game against Colorado Avalanche, head coach Claude Julien confirmed Friday.
Julien added that Kotkaniemi has been released from hospital and is resting at home.
Kotkaniemi was injured after a hit from Colorado Avalanche defenceman Nikita Zadorov early in the game. The 19-year-old hit his head on the ice, was slow to get up and had to be helped to the dressing room. He didn’t return to the game.
Zadorov wasn’t given a penalty on the play and Sportsnet’s Eric Engels reported that there would be no supplemental discipline for the hit.
Kotkaniemi has five points in 22 games this season, his second with the Canadiens. Charles Hudon will replace him in the lineup in Friday’s game in New York against the Rangers.
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