Dallas Stars forward Curtis McKenzie was the recipient of a nasty hit from behind Thursday night from Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Nikita Nesterov.

The hit took place in the second period, and knocked McKenzie from the game with a lower-body injury, but the hit was bad enough to send the 24-year-old to hospital, according to head coach Lindy Ruff.

Lindy Ruff said Curtis McKenzie was taken to hospital. Didn't say what injury was, only said McKenzie was in "excruciating pain." — Mark Stepneski (@StarsInsideEdge) October 16, 2015

There's no word on whether McKenzie will be in hospital overnight, or the severity of his injury.