Leafs superstar injured during the 1st period of the Leafs/Canucks game, but crisis averted

During the late stages of the 1st period, Matthews stuck his leg out in an attempt to block a hard point shot from Canucks defenseman Noah Juulsen. The end result was Matthews taking a clapper, full-blast off the soft tissue just behind his shin/knee pad on the side of his knee, which buckled him immediately and sent him down to the ice, writing in agony.

Matthews remained on the ice for several minutes, being attended to by a trainer before vacating the rink and heading straight down the tunnel with a noticeable hobble.

This is the worst timing for another injury to Matthews, right before the playoffs. The obvious hope here is that Matthews is able to avoid any serious injury to any of the ligaments behind his knee. The fact that he was able to hobble off is encouraging, but it wouldn't be the first time that a player suffered MCL damage from a blocked shot. Hoping for the best outcome possible here. Matthews only recently returned from a 3-week absence due to a knee sprain.

***Update at 8:22PM - Matthews has not taken a shift yet, but has returned to the Leafs' bench, at least for the time being***