Florida Panthers defenseman Josh Mahura takes the puck to the face, leaving a trail of blood on the ice

Florida Panthers defenseman Josh Mahura takes the puck to the FACE and lets the blood flow on the ice…before later returning to the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs

  • The 24-year-old was hit around his left temple after a shot went wide
  • Mahura joined the Panthers from the Anaheim Ducks early in the season
  • DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news

Florida Panthers Josh Mahura took a shot off the crosshairs that left a trail of blood on the ice in his side’s 3-2 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round of the NHL playoffs.

The 24-year-old defender was temporarily suspended from Thursday night’s game to receive dressing room treatment before eventually returning for the third period.

He was seen bleeding heavily with about 5:47 left in the second period after Toronto wing William Nylander put in a long shot just left of goal, accidentally hitting Mahura in the face around his left temple.

Mahura went straight to the ground after taking the hit, immediately removing his helmet while his knees were on the ice.

He then got up to skate to his team’s bench as quickly as possible before being handed a towel by a trainer.

Josh Mahura, 24, reacts after taking a puck to the face in the second period against Toronto

Most fans at Scotiabank Arena – home of the Maple Leafs – thought Mahura’s evening was over after he suffered the facial injury.

However, the Canadian returned to the rink with about 15 minutes left in the third period.

He missed a total of 10 to 11 minutes of game action.

Some of the Panthers defender’s gear was picked up by teammate Radko Gudas

What’s more, the Panthers are now in a good position to make the Eastern Conference Finals, leading the series two games to nil.

Florida will take on the New Jersey Devils or the Carolina Hurricanes.

The best-of-seven series shifts to Sunrise, Florida, for Game 3 on Sunday. Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday.

Mahura joined the Panthers early in the season and has played a total of 82 regular season games for the team.

Before moving east, the defenseman spent four seasons with the Anaheim Ducks.

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