A puck went into the crowd during Bruins-Panthers earlier tonight, and it was a genuinely scary moment.
Anyone who has sat close to the glass knows how fast a puck can leave the ice. One second it's a routine play, the next the building goes quiet and everyone looks to see where it landed.
No update on the condition of anyone in the stands has been confirmed as of this writing. We will keep tabs on it and pass along anything official from the team or the league.
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For now, the only fair reaction is the one most hockey fans had: hope everyone is okay.
The game itself did get finished. The Bruins beat the Panthers 4-1, a result that pushed Boston's winning streak to four games.
Bruins keep rolling, Panthers keep sliding
On the ice, the night belonged to Marco Sturm's team. Boston is 13-4-1 and carries a +27 goal differential, and it has now won all of its last four.
Florida is heading the other way. Paul Maurice's Panthers are 9-7-2 and have lost two straight, after a 4-3 loss in Washington on Saturday night where Brady Tkachuk scored twice and still came up short.
That road schedule doesn't get easier. Florida is at Columbus on Tuesday, while Boston gets a few days before hosting Montreal on Thursday.
Boston looks like the real deal right now, and the Panthers have a problem if the losses keep stacking up. But tonight, the result sits well behind the scare, and the first priority is simple: confirm that the fan or fans near that puck are fine.
Quick hits
NEW JERSEY DEVILS: Rob Reinhart reports that goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has requested a trade, per sources. The team has not confirmed it. Big if true, and it would reshape the market in net.
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WINNIPEG JETS: Mark Scheifele won it with a buzzer-beater, 0.3 seconds left, to beat the Lightning 4-3 tonight. You can't script a finish much better than that.
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CALGARY FLAMES: Matthew Coronato ended it in overtime, as the Flames beat the Flyers 4-3 at the Saddledome tonight, according to Gino Hard.
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ANAHEIM DUCKS: Patrick Present reports that defenseman Travis Mitchell headed straight to the locker room late in the third period against the Penguins. Anaheim will want an update soon.
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CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS: Pro Hockey Rumors reports the Blackhawks appear set to change their backup goalie again, one day after the 9-2 loss in Carolina.
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Should the NHL do more to protect fans from pucks leaving the ice?
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