Florida Panthers centre Vincent Trocheck was taken off the ice on a stretcher with a lower-body injury.

Trocheck fell awkwardly while fighting for a puck along the boards late in the first period.

He remained on the ice for several minutes while doctors tended to his right leg.

Post-game Panthers head coach Bob Boughner didn't say what the exact injury was but said it was serious and Trocheck will be re-evaluated Tuesday.

"We don't know the extent of the injury. We know it's not going to be a short-term thing," Boughner said. "He's going to be reassessed, but he's coming back with us to Tampa Bay and then home to South Florida.

The 25-year-old has three goals and 14 points in 18 games this season.