Jeff Skinner leaves preseason game after hit to head (Video)

The last thing the Carolina Hurricanes need is another significant injury up front, what with Jordan Staal out at least three months with a broken leg.

But on Sunday afternoon in a preseason game at the Washington Capitals, the Canes watched star forward Jeff Skinner take a hit to the head and wobble off the ice.

The Hurricanes later announced he wouldn't return to the game.

Here's the hit, courtesy of defenseman Matt Niskanen:

As you can see, Skinner had just completed a faceoff and Niskanen comes through with a forearm to his head. Skinner had trouble getting to his skates and picking up his stick, leaving for the dressing room in the first period.

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Scary stuff, when you consider that Skinner has missed time in each of the last two seasons with concussion symptoms.

Niskanen wasn't penalized on the play; should it have been a Rule 48 violation?