BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Buffalo Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta was taken to the hospital for tests after absorbing a hit late in the first period against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night.

Kaleta, who has had a history of head and neck problems, was boarded by Toronto's Mike Brown, who was assessed a penalty for the play. Kaleta skated off awkwardly with 2:26 left in the period and did not return.

``It's a neck injury,'' Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said after the 4-3 overtime loss. ``He was X-rayed here and they took a precaution. They took him for some further tests. I have no update.''

The NHL has made hits from behind a point of emphasis in recent years, but Ruff didn't feel Brown's hit was dirty.

``I thought he was sideways,'' Ruff said. ``Some of the obligation is on the player (being hit). He wasn't defenseless. It's a tough area. It wasn't a blatant (example of) run a guy from behind.''