Canadiens’ Lars Eller stretchered off after hit by Senators’ Eric Gryba

MONTREAL – Montreal Canadiens centre Lars Eller was taken from the ice on a stretcher after taking a big hit from Ottawa Senators defenceman Eric Gryba in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference quarter-final on Thursday night.

A pool of blood was left on the ice near the Canadiens’ blue-line after Eller was caught with his head down on an open ice hit by Gryba.

Eller, who touched the puck before contact, eventually sat up, bleeding heavily from his forehead.

He was placed on the stretcher and wheeled off the ice at the Bell Centre.

Gryba was given a major penalty for interference and a game misconduct.

His shoulder appeared to contact Eller’s head first on the hit.