John Tavares checked into linesman's crotch by Nikolai Kulemin (VIDEO)

The New York Islanders had a scare on Tuesday night when the Maple Leafs' Nikolai Kulemin checked the Isles best player and captain John Tavares into the boards right in front of the Islanders bench. Their concern was likely nothing compared to the horror of the official who took the full brunt of Tavares' helmeted head in his crotch.

Or as the announcer saw it, "Tavares got cold-cocked by the linesman."

Tavares lost his balance before going head first into the boards. Perhaps luckily for him, there was a linesman in the way cushioning the blow.

Tavares was understandably shaken after the punishing hit. However he stayed on the bench and was back on the ice for his next shift.

The Leafs later posted a photo of the up-close-and-personal moment.

#TMLtalk photo: Kulemin's hit on Tavares pic.twitter.com/H85PoexxtN
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) November 20, 2013