Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Paul Ranger left the ice on a stretcher after a hit by Tampa Bay's Alex Killorn.

Killorn was given a five-minute boarding major and ejected from the game.

Ranger stayed on the ice for several minutes after the hit, which came with 4.1 seconds left in the first period. At the time, Tampa Bay held a 3-2 lead.

Killorn obviously boarded Ranger with serious force; the question is whether the hit was suspension-worthy. Ranger's turn immediately before the hit will be a consideration â€” it certainly didn't help.

The teams played the remainder of the first after intermission, then immediately switched sides.

Ranger, 29, was in the midst of his first NHL season after nearly three years away from the game for personal reasons. Coincidentally, he started his career with the Lightning.

(GIF via theScore)