Acciari was hit up high by Carolina Hurricanes forward Jesse Puljujarvi and the Maple Leafs' forward has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Senators.

Noel Acciari's night came to an early end on Friday.

The Toronto Maple Leafs forward was hit up high in the head area by Carolina Hurricanes forward Jesse Puljujarvi late in the first period. 

Acciari was down on the ice for a while before the play was whistled down. He departed to the dressing room shortly after the hit and he did not return.

The Maple Leafs added that Acciari not returning was 'precautionary' and Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said the player will not join them for their next game on Saturday against the Ottawa Senators.

"In terms of what happens going forward I will have to see," Keefe said of Acciari. "He was in the (locker) room, handing off the belt tonight to Reeser (Zach Aston-Reese). so it seems like he's doing alright, but clearly couldn't come back in the game so that's concerning." 

The team played the remainder of the game with 10 forwards since only 11 were dressed as they continued to work with an 11-and-7 deployment to figure out their defense. Toronto went on to defeat the Hurricanes 5-2.

Keefe intended to go with the traditional formation of 12 forwards and six defensemen for Saturday's game, but may have to change that with Acciari out. The Maple Leafs' coach also indicated that he told defenseman Justin Holl and forward Wayne Simmonds that they would suit up for that game.

Simmonds hasn't played in a game since Feb. 1

Acciari was acquired from the St. Louis Blues along with forward Ryan O'Reilly in exchange for a collection of draft picks, which included Toronto's first-rounder in 2023. 

The 31-year-old has three goals in 13 games with Toronto and is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

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