Montreal Canadiens' Torrey Mitchell Leaves Season Opener With Head Injury

Torrey Mitchell scored the game-winning goal in the Montreal Canadiens season opening victory over the Buffalo Sabres. However, the fourth-line center also left the game early with an apparent head injury.

Mitchell played just over 11 minutes in the Canadiens season opener and had one shot on goal. He made the lone shot count as he pounced on a Paul Byron rebound and jammed the puck past Sabres goaltender Robin Lehner early in the second period.

Later in the game, Mitchell was killing a penalty when Rasmus Ristolainen’s one-timer rose quickly and hit the Habs center in the face. Mitchell appeared to be in serious pain, but after the play was blown dead, he took a second to compose himself and skated off the ice under his own power.

The crisis was averted for Mitchell, but only for a short time. Early in the third period, Mitchell was reaching for a stretch pass when former Canadiens defender Josh Gorges stepped up to hit him.

As Gorges was about to make contact, the outstretched Mitchell fell to his knees and Gorges’ knee made direct contact to Mitchell’s head. Mitchell stayed down on the ice as a large scrum ensued almost on top of him.

Mitchell was helped off the ice by the Habs trainer and taken directly to the dressing room. There was 11:42 to play in the game at the time of the injury and Mitchell did not return.

Mitchell scored 11 goals and 19 points for the Habs last season in 71 games. He is a valuable faceoff man and penalty killer. If he is out for any length of time, Phillip Danault could move to center and Brian Flynn or Sven Andrighetto would draw into the lineup in his absence.

Montreal is off tomorrow and will play Saturday night in Ottawa against the Senators.

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