Tavares gets blasted by a slap shot, leaves the game with injury

UPDATE: Tavares has returned to the Leafs' bench and has taken at least one tentative looking shift on the ice. It appears that he's healthy enough to play, but it's not clear what his status will be beyond tonight's game.

For our earlier report on this developing story, read below.

The Toronto Maple Leafs appear to have lost captain John Tavares to an apparent knee injury.

Tavares was jockeying for position in front of the Vegas Golden Knights' net when he took a slap shot from teammate Rasmus Sandin directly in the knee.

Here's the play in question:

Needless to say that if the Leafs lost Tavares for any sustained period of time, it could be absolutely devastating to the Leafs. He has arguably been the Leafs' best player this season, certainly their most consistent player if nothing else. The 32 year old former 1st overall pick has three goals and seven points in the Leafs' first six games of the 2022-23 regular season. He's fresh off a stellar campaign last season where he put up 27 goals and 76 points in 79 games. Love the Leafs or hate the Leafs, there's no denying that Tavares is an absolute horse and is the heartbeat of the team when they're playing well. 

While young players like Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner generate most of the headlines in Toronto, to me Tavares is their most important player. He's arguably their best two-way forward and personally I think he's one of the best two-way forwards in the NHL and doesn't receive nearly enough recognition for his play on the defensive side of the puck. Again, that's a tough spot for the Leafs to fill if Tavares does indeed miss some time due to injury.

As for the rest of the Leafs' squad, they've fallen behind 3-1 to Vegas with Tavares on the sidelines, thanks to former Leafs forward Michael Amadio, now with Vegas. It's always a former Leafs player who ends up sticking it to the Buds, isn't it? At least it feels that way.

More to come on this developing story, including any post-game updates from Tavares or from head coach Sheldon Keefe on Tavares' status moving forward. For what it's worth, the Leafs have two days off before facing the San Jose Sharks.