Milbury accuses Muzzin of faking injury, fans call for him to be fired from NBC

In case you missed it last night, Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Muzzin left his team’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets after suffering a freak neck injury after colliding with Blue Jackets forward Oliver Bjorkstrand.

Here’s the play in question:

Muzzin was taken off the ice in a stretcher and taken to a local hospital for observation and treatment. The Leafs issued a statement this morning indicating that Muzzin had been discharged from hospital but will remain unavailable to his team for the duration of their Qualifying Series against the Blue Jackets.

Check it out:

After being transported to hospital following an on-ice collision last night, Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Jake Muzzin is back at the team’s hotel.

Muzzin was discharged overnight but will not be available to the club for the duration of its series versus the Columbus Blue Jackets as a result of his injury. He will remain in quarantine within the hotel and look to rejoin his teammates upon recovery.

Blue Jackets forward Pierre-Luc Dubois, who initially cross-checked Muzzin from behind and caused the collision, will face no supplemental discipline for his actions. 

Muzzin reportedly could not feel his extremities following the collision, which prompted his team's training staff to lift him onto a stretcher in an abundance of caution. After all, if Muzzin had suffered spinal damage then one wrong move could be catastrophic. Thankfully though, that doesn't seem to be the case.

Regardless, fans held their breath while Muzzin's motionless body was lifted up onto the stretcher and off the ice. NBC analyst Mike Milbury though... he apparently thought Muzzin was faking it...While Muzzin was down on the ice, before the Leafs' training staff was assisting him, Milbury stated that he wondered if Muzzin "was staying down on the ice in order to get his team a whistle." 

For real, Milbury? First off, if you're going to call someone out for diving and faking an injury, maybe pick someone who isn't considered one of the toughest defensemen in the league. Muzzin has a rock solid reputation and isn't the kind of guy to flop down on the ice just to get a whistle. 

I don't think Milbury should be fired over this but... come on, Mike. Do better, bud.