Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Following a victory in Game 1, the focus quickly turned to the injuries suffered by two members of the Anaheim Ducks.
Captain Ryan Getzlaf took a puck to the face and immediately skated off into the locker room in the final seconds of Game 1. Getzlaf suffered a deep facial laceration, but will play tonight in Game 2.
The other wounded Duck, however, won’t be suiting up tonight.
Forward Matt Beleskey suffered a lower-body injury in Game 1 and will be scratched from the lineup tonight. Devante Smith-Pelly is expected to take his place.
In a press conference this morning, head coach Bruce Boudreau confirmed that Getzlaf was in and Beleskey was out.
Beleskey, who has found a home on the top line with Getzlaf and Corey Perry, finished the regular season with nine goals and 15 assists for 24 points.
He scored a goal and added an assist in Game 1.
His return to the lineup is unknown.
In 19 games with the Ducks this season, Smith-Pelly tallied 10 points on two goals and eight assists. He had a goal and the shootout winner in the Apr. 12 battle against Los Angeles and notched an assist in the finale against the Colorado Avalanche.
It will be Smith-Pelly’s NHL playoff debut.
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