Nathan MacKinnon suffers frightening bloody facial injury during Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild NHL Game 4 playoff showdown

Nathan MacKinnon had a scary facial injury in Tuesday’s Game 4 between the Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild. The Colorado Avalanche star exited the ice with a rush of blood after being struck in the mouth by a puck in the second period of the NHL playoff game.

The shocking sequence quickly became one of the biggest NHL news roundup stories of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Arena personnel cleared blood from the ice surface as trainers rushed to help Nathan MacKinnon before play resumed during the fierce Colorado Avalanche-Minnesota Wild contest.

Nathan MacKinnon leaves Colorado Avalanche NHL Game 4 bleeding badly against Minnesota Wild

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews accidentally blasted a clearing attempt right into the face of Nathan MacKinnon, bloodied the star player and forced him to leave Game 4. The incident came late in the second period with the Minnesota Wild pressing Colorado near the crease.

The puck looked to catch Nathan MacKinnon in the mouth area, and the Colorado Avalanche star immediately skated off toward the bench in obvious pain. Trainers ran over to help him as blood spilled onto the ice during today's NHL match.

Play was stopped for several minutes while arena workers cleaned the ice. It was enough to give Colorado Avalanche fans some relief during the tense playoff matchup as Nathan MacKinnon later skated to the dressing room under his own steam.

The injury scare provided another physical chapter to what has already been an emotional Stanley Cup Playoff series between the Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild. The teams have been trading heavy hits and aggressive defensive pressure all game, making each game more intense than the last.

Nathan MacKinnon continues to be one of the Colorado Avalanche's most important offensive weapons in the postseason. Any length of time out could have a big impact on the team’s playoff hopes and create big NHL injury updates before the next game.

The Colorado Avalanche weren’t immediately giving more information on Nathan MacKinnon’s condition after a scary sequence in Game 4.