Max Pacioretty leaves game after taking shot to the face (Video)

Montreal Canadiens captain Max Pacioretty exited his team’s Tuesday game against the Columbus Blue Jackets midway through the second period after taking a P.K. Subban slapshot to the face. 

A video of the play is above. There were no immediate further details on Pacioretty’s injury.

Losing Pacioretty for any length of time would be painful the Canadiens, a team that has been without reigning NHL MVP Carey Price for most of the year. Price, who has played just 12 games this year, has missed time with a lower body injury. Recently, team general manager Marc Bergevin said Price’s recovery has been going “slower than expected.”

Originally the Habs gave a six-week timetable on Price when they announced his latest setback in late November. Pacioretty has scored 33-or-more goals in his last three full seasons. A year ago he led Montreal with 37 goals and 67 points. He suffered a knee injury in the offseason and missed 12 weeks, but returned in time for the season opener.

After winning their first nine games of the year, the Habs have fallen out of the playoffs. Currently they have 52 points – three behind the New Jersey Devils for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. 

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