The Washington Capitals continue to struggle going a single game without a player taking a stick or puck to the face.
Andrew Mangiapane was the latest player to take some facial damage on Tuesday night. The 29-year-old winger saw a puck deflected by former Caps defenseman Dmitry Orlov jump up and hit him in the mouth during the first period of Game 1 against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Mangiapane immediately headed to the Capitals’ bench, cutting his final shift of the period short at just 24 seconds. He did not return for the rest of the period, leaving the game with 10:39 remaining in the first frame.
Fortunately for the Capitals, Mangiapane was on the bench to start the second, sporting a split lip on the left side of his mouth. He’s skating on the third line with Lars Eller and Ryan Leonard to start the series, just as he finished the first round against the Montreal Canadiens.
Mangiapane already played playoff hero for the Caps this postseason, scoring the game-winning goal against the Canadiens in Game 4. He finished the first round with two points (1g, 1a) in five games after recording 28 points (14g, 14a) in 81 regular-season games.
Alex Alexeyev, who’s already wearing a bubble after losing three teeth in the Capitals’ first playoff game, was also high-sticked in the head by Sebastian Aho during the first period. The Russian rearguard appeared to be fine as his protective face shield prevented further injury.
