In the win-or-go-home Stanley Cup playoffs, hockey players will do whatever it takes to score goals. Given that backdrop, Joe Pavelski was surely happy to get on the board Wednesday night, but he probably wishes it came in a lot less painful fashion.
Pavelski, captain of the San Jose Sharks, opened the scoring for his team in their first-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights by having a puck deflect off his face and past opposing goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.
The initial shot came from stalwart defenseman Brent Burns during a first-period power play that saw the 34-year-old Pavelski take up residence in front of the net. Unfortunately, the American did not see Burns' shot until it was too late, and it struck his face square before careening into the net.
Here's a thing that happened: Joe Pavelski scored a goal off his face!
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Pavelski appeared to be in pain, and he went to the locker room for the duration of the first period. He eventually came out to the bench early in the second period wearing a full face shield.
His team closed out the first period with his off-the-face tally serving as the game's only goal.
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