Devils' Patrik Elias leaves game after hard hit into stanchion from Capitals' Tom Wilson

Patrik Elias has 17 goals and 34 assists this season. (Andy Marlin/NHL/Getty Images)

Patrik Elias of the New Jersey Devils left the team's game against the Washington Capitals early after being driven into the the padded stanchion near Washington's bench head first, reports NBC Sports.

The incident occurred with 8 minutes left in the first period of Friday nights game and left the center on the ice for several minutes before heading back to the Devils' locker room.

The 17-season NHL veteran did not return to the ice for the games second period, and the team has not provided any update on his status, according to Tom Gulitti of The Record.

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