Daniel Winnik, right before colliding with Jan Hejda.

Scary stuff at Pepsi Center.

Just 45 seconds into Thursday night’s tilt between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Colorado Avalanche, Leafs center Daniel Winnik was hit hard near the Avalanche blueline by Colorado defenseman Jan Hejda. The collision caused Winnik to flip backward and land on his left shoulder and head, which seemingly knocked him unconscious.

The team’s medical staff rushed to his aid, and it was apparent after a couple of minutes he was conscious and talking to the medics.

As a totally silent Pepsi Center crowd looked on, Winnik was strapped to a backboard, slid off the ice and lifted onto a waiting stretcher.

Thankfully, a major injury seems to have been avoided.

Winnik, who came to the Leafs this season from the Anaheim Ducks, has six assists in 12 games with Toronto.