After a disappointing 5-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, news got worse for the Florida Panthers, as forward Vincent Trocheck - who left the game after blocking a shot - may have suffered a fractured leg, according to George Richards of the Miami Herald.
The 22-year-old will undergo an MRI on Wednesday, head coach Gerard Gallant said, per ESPN. Any time missed would be a significant loss for the Panthers as the center entered Tuesday on a four-game goal-scoring streak, while recording 13 points in his past 11 games.
"He was our best player for a long time so that's tough," said teammate Jaromir Jagr. "Not only did we lose a game but we lost one of our best players. Hopefully someone will step up. That line had been playing so well."
Trocheck blocked shots on the same ankle in the two previous games against the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning, causing his leg to go numb in the latter game, but it's unclear if this injury is related, Richards added.
In Trocheck's stead, Nick Bjugstad moved up to the second line, centering wingers Jussi Jokinen and Reilly Smith.
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