Sabres forward Evander Kane hospitalized after hard crash into boards

Only one day after losing star center Jack Eichel to an ankle injury, the Buffalo Sabres now are without his linemate as well.

Winger Evander Kane became tangled with Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexei Emelin late in the second period and lost his edge, crashing hard into the boards. Kane rolled around on the ice in obvious pain and appeared to be holding the left side of his midsection.

The 25-year-old was eventually helped off the ice and transported to a local hospital. No further update was given on Kane's status.

The Sabres lost 4-1, and if both Eichel and Kane are sidelined for an extended period of time, Buffalo's chances of ending a five-year playoff drought take a big hit.

Eichel suffered a left high ankle sprain during Wednesday's practice, and Sabres general manager Tim Murray told reporters Thursday the 2015 No. 2 overall pick could miss six to eight weeks.

The team also was missing forward Kyle Okposo on Thursday as he deals with a knee injury. Okposo signed a seven-year, $42 million contract with the Sabres in the offseason.