If You're Not Playing Hurt...

Ryan Getzlaf is a pretty important piece of the Anaheim Ducks. He centers their top line, he's become the de facto set-up man for Corey Perry, and he's been a leader since arriving in southern California. Getzlaf led his Ducks into Game One against the Dallas Stars, and was a factor early as he scored a goal on a deflection to put the Ducks up 2-0 en route to their 4-3 victory. Getzlaf, though, would finish the game in the dressing room after sacrificing his body in the win.

With Anaheim leading late in the third period and the Dallas net empty, the Stars were pressing in the Anaheim zone. Goligoski chased down a loose puck and threw a backhanded pass across to Tyler Seguin who wound up with the slapshot. However, the puck wobbled on the pass, and Seguin was able to under the puck a little more than I'm sure he would have liked. Getzlaf stood between Seguin and the net, and this is how Getzlaf's night ended.

Reports after the game have Getzlaf's cheek a little swollen and having a few stitches in it, but he will reportedly suit up for Game Two on Friday night. As the old saying goes, "If you're not playing hurt, you're not in the playoffs." Getzlaf will have a new scar to talk about this summer after his Game One experience.

"I think he's going to be OK, but he's probably going to have a little nasty cut on the side of his mouth," Boudreau told reporters after the game. "As far as I know, nothing else is there. But I'll know more tomorrow."

Anaheim, Pittsburgh, and Montreal were all winners on the first night of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs. If you're in the HBIC Playoff Pool, game-winning goal-scorers included Matt Beleskey, Brandon Sutter, and Dale Weise, respectively, for those teams, so hopefully you scored a minimum of three points! Four games go tonight as Philadelphia travels to Madison Square Garden for a date with the Rangers, Chicago is in St. Louis, Minnesota goes mile-high at the Pepsi Center against the Avalanche, and Los Angeles will play the Sharks in San Jose.

Playoffs, baby! I love this game!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!