New Jersey Devils defenseman Jon Merrill's first NHL game ended early on Sunday when he was injured early in the first period.
Jon Merrill injury: Rookie Devils defenseman leaves after scary crash
The Devils lost another defenseman on Sunday.
Merrill, in the lineup to replace the injured Anton Volchenkov, was hurt while racing for a puck in the corner with Minnesota Wild forward Torrey Mitchell. Merrill lost an edge, and momentum, and Mitchell's body propelled him face-first into the boards.
Merrill remained on the ice for a few moments, but eventually was helped off to the locker room by his teammates. He looked groggy and seemed to have suffered a few cuts on his face as well.
The Devils have not released any information on his injury, but it certainly didn't look good. New Jersey is already spread thin along the blue line, as Volchenkov is nursing a lower body injury and Peter Harrold was placed on injured reserve on Sunday.
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