Leafs' Jake Muzzin out of the hospital, will not return in series

TORONTO — Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Muzzin has been discharged from the hospital and is back at the team’s hotel, and he will not return to the lineup during Toronto’s playoff qualification series with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Maple Leafs said in a statement Muzzin will remain in quarantine within the hotel and “look to rejoin his teammates upon recovery.”

Muzzin was injured late in the third period of Toronto’s 3-0 win over Columbus on Tuesday.

With the Leafs killing a penalty, Muzzin took a crosscheck from Columbus center Pierre-Luc Dubois before stumbling and jamming his head/neck into the leg of Blue Jackets winger Oliver Bjorkstrand.

Muzzin couldn’t get up after the collision and had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher after a delay of about 15 minutes. Players from both teams tapped their sticks in support as he was assisted off the playing surface.

“What he brings to our team is immeasurable,” Toronto captain John Tavares said of Muzzin after the game. “Certainly tough to see, especially just how much we love that guy.”

The best-of-five series, which is tied 1-1, resumes Thursday night at Scotiabank Arena.