Canucks rookie C Pettersson exits game with lower-body injury

Vancouver Canucks rookie center Elias Pettersson went from the high of making the NHL All-Star roster on Wednesday to exiting a game with a lower-body injury the next day. Pettersson, the Canucks' top scorer, got hurt 5:48 into the second period of the contest at Montreal. Pettersson's right leg twisted awkwardly as he became entangled with Canadiens rookie center Jesperi Kotkaniemi. The Canadiens forward appeared to apologize afterward, as he went over to Pettersson and said a few words, then gave him a stick-tap on his shin pads.

"It was a collision," Canucks center Brandon Sutter told Sportsnet. "I don't think (Kotkaniemi) really knew what was going on." Pettersson, a 20-year-old Swede, didn't notch a point Thursday after recording his first career hat trick the previous night at Ottawa. He even scored the overtime game-winner against the Senators. Pettersson has 10 multi-point games in the first 38 contests of his NHL career. His total of 42 points (22 goals, 20 assists) is the best among rookies by a wide margin, with the Senators' Colin White second at 25.  

(With inputs from agencies.)