Maple Leafs' Daniel Winnik knocked out by nasty hit from Jan Hejda (VIDEO)

There was a scary moment Thursday night after Toronto Maple Leafs center Daniel Winnik was knocked out cold after taking a hit by Colorado Avalanche defenseman Jan Hejda during the first period of an NHL game at Denver's Pepsi Center.

Winnik — who landed awkwardly on his head after the routine check — appeared to be unconscious as a team doctor scrambled out onto the ice.

After a few tense moments, Winnik was stretchered off the ice in front of the silent crowd.



Later, the team tweeted that he was alert and moving.

Daniel Winnik is alert and moving. He is currently being evaluated by the Leafs' team doctor. #TMLtalk
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) November 7, 2014

Dan Boyle stretchered off ice after nasty hit from behind (VIDEO)

There was much concern during the first period of Tuesday night's game between the St. Louis Blues and San Jose Sharks after defenseman Dan Boyle was taken off the ice on a stretcher.

Boyle was playing the puck in the corner boards when Maxim Lapierre hit the Sharks player from behind. Fights broke out all over the ice after the hit while Boyle lay motionless in the corner and the Sharks trainer ran onto the ice to help him. Eventually Boyle was taken off the ice on a stretcher and Lapierre was given a five-minute major for boarding

The good news is that things do sound encouraging for Boyle via this tweet.

#SJSharks spokesman says: "Dan was alert and moving his extremities and has been taken to a local hospital for evaluation."
— Kevin Kurz (@KKurzCSN) October 16, 2013

Perry shows remorse for Zucker hit: 'It's unfortunate'

Corey Perry's blindsided hit to Jason Zucker cost him a game misconduct and five-minute major for interference Tuesday night.

The late hit to Zucker's head knocked the 21-year-old Minnesota Wild forward's head into the boards and out of the game.

Afterwards, Perry showed some remorse for the vicious hit.

“I was committed to the hit. … I tried to let up,” Perry said. “It’s hard. It happens so fast. It’s unfortunate.”

The Anaheim Ducks player passed on this message to to Zucker that he's not the headhunter the replays will make him out to be.

“No. I don’t go out there looking to hurt guys,” Perry said. “That’s not the way I am. That’s not me as a person.”

Perry was suspended four games after elbowing Claude Giroux in 2009. Not exactly a gangster on skates.

Let's see what what the NHL has to say about it.