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Sharks' Joe Pavelski embraces playoff spirit, scores with his kisser

stan temming
After 38 regular season lamp-lighters in 2018-19, Joe Pavelski’s first of the playoffs was likely his most painful of the campaign.(Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images)
After 38 regular season lamp-lighters in 2018-19, Joe Pavelski’s first of the playoffs was likely his most painful of the campaign.(Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images)

Meatloaf famously sang these beautiful lyrics:

I would do anything for love, but I won’t do that.

No, I won’t do that.

And while we believe that San Jose’s Joe Pavelski would do anything to score a goal for his team in the playoffs, we have a feeling that he didn’t necessarily want to do this.

Known for his ability to tip point shots between the pipes, Pavelski’s face opened the scoring 14:42 into Game 1 of the first-round Western Conference clash between San Jose and the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday night.

After taking Brent Burns’ snapper from the point right off the kisser, the Sharks’ captain didn’t even celebrate the power-play tally. He immediately left the ice and went straight to the dressing room for an assessment from the medical staff.

Although he didn’t return before the end of the first period, he was back for the second equipped with a plastic guard on his helmet to protect his jaw.

While that was good news for San Jose, it appears Pavelski may need to schedule a visit with his dentist in the near future.

Playoff hockey, baby! There’s nothing better.

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