PHILADELPHIA - Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh left Saturday afternoon's game against the Flyers with a likely head injury and possible concussion after being sucker-punched by Philadelphia right wing Wayne Simmonds, who was then ejected.
Just 10:36 into the game, McDonagh made a pass from the left defensive boards across ice and out of his own zone. Simmonds approached to finish a check, and McDonagh tried to protect himself by lifting his stick but ended up cross-checking Simmonds in the back of the helmet. He also slashed Simmonds as they jostled, and McDonagh was penalized for both.
Simmonds, though, reacted by turning and sucker-punching McDonagh in the right cheek with his gloved left-hand.