BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Sabres forward Evander Kane was taken to the hospital for evaluation after he slammed heavily into the end boards late in the second period of Buffalo's season-opening 4-1 loss to Montreal on Thursday night.

Coach Dan Bylsma was unable to provide a definitive update on Kane's status except to say, "they're checking for a lot of things internally."

Kane was hurt while racing Canadiens defenceman Alexei Emelin for a loose puck up the left wing in the Montreal zone. Kane reached out for the puck when the two bumped. Kane lost his balance, fell and slid with his left elbow slamming into the boards.

He lay in pain for several minutes while being attended to by a trainer. After being helped up, Kane was doubled over and slowly made his way off the ice and was led directly into the locker room.

Emelin wasn't penalized.

Buffalo was already banged up. Star second-year centre Jack Eichel is expected to miss at least a month after spraining his left ankle in practice Wednesday.