Vancouver Canucks center Filip Chytil left Sunday’s game against the Washington Capitals after suffering a heavy blindside hit from Tom Wilson. The incident occurred during the first period as Chytil passed the puck during a neutral-zone rush. Chytil, who has a history of concussions, fell to the ice and required assistance to leave the rink for further evaluation. No penalty was assessed on the play, where Wilson's shoulder appeared to strike Chytil in the chest. However, the impact's whiplash effect can also lead to concussions. Chytil did not return to the game, and Jonathan Lekkerimäki was also absent at the start of the second period. Lekkerimäki had been announced as a replacement for Brock Boeser, who was a late scratch. This incident marks a troubling continuation for Chytil, who suffered his fifth career concussion on March 15 from a hit by Chicago Blackhawks center Jason Dickinson. That injury ended his season and raised concerns about his future in the sport. The unpenalized hit on Sunday, along with Chytil's struggle to regain his balance after the blow, indicated a potential concussion, necessitating adherence to concussion protocols. In a more positive light, Chytil had previously shown resilience. He absorbed a heavy reverse shoulder hit from former New York Rangers teammate Kaapo Kakko during a preseason game against the Seattle Kraken last month but continued to play, suggesting he had overcome some concerns about his health. “I’m not thinking about it (concussions) at all,” Chytil said at that time. “I understand people are worried about it, but I know my body and what’s going on. I’m working to stay on the ice as much as I can and play a full season finally.” At 26 years old, Chytil had a strong start to the season, scoring three goals in his first games. His injury leaves the Canucks with Elias Pettersson, Teddy Blueger, Max Sasson, and Aatu Raty as available centers for their upcoming game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday.