Montreal Canadiens forward Nicolas Deslauriers was taken to hospital as a precaution and for further testing after leaving Monday's preseason game against the New Jersey Devils on Monday night, the team announced.

The 27-year-old left the game early in the second period with an upper-body injury. Earlier in the first period, Deslauriers dropped the gloves with Devils forward Brandon Baddock where he took a hard right-handed punch, according to Sportsnet's Eric Engels.

Deslauriers is looking to cement a full-time spot with the Canadiens this year after playing 58 games with the big club and 14 in the American Hockey League last season.

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