Watch: Hurricanes' Jaccob Slavin knocked out of Game 4 vs. Panthers after massive hit
If the Carolina Hurricanes can come back down 3-0 in the Eastern Conference Final, they'll likely have to do so without the services of one of their standout defensemen.
Barely a minute into Game 4 on Wednesday, Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett caught Hurricanes' Jaccob Slavin with a bone-crunching hit, forcing the defenseman out of the game.
Slavin appeared to hit the back of his head on the boards behind the Carolina net and was noticeably woozy afterward. Before leaving the ice, Slavin, unable to gain his balance, fell into the back of the net before reaching his skates.
Ahead of the first-period intermission, the Hurricanes announced that Slavin was out for the remainder of Game 4.
While brutal, Bennett's hit appeared to be clean to Slavin's chest, with the impact made even more significant by the defenseman's unawareness. There was helmet-to-helmet contact, but referees chose not to penalize Bennett.
The Hurricanes have relied on the 29-year-old to play some of the toughest minutes on the ice during the postseason. Entering Game 4, Slavin was averaging 24:05 minutes of ice time per game, recording six points (two goals, four assists) in 14 games.
The Hurricanes already face a tall task, needing to rally off four consecutive wins to keep their Stanley Cup hopes alive. However, should Carolina force a Game 5 and beyond, Slavin's status will be a significant storyline.
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