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The Anaheim Ducks’ top line got banged up a bit in their Game 1 win over the Dallas Stars Wednesday night. Ryan Getzlaf took a puck to the face, causing a deep laceration requiring many stitches at the end of the game, but he will play on. Matt Beleskey, who had two points in the postseason opener, will not be in the lineup for Game 2, however. Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau confirmed Friday that Beleskey is out with a lower-body injury.
Beleskey has frequently been playing with Getzlaf and Corey Perry on Anaheim’s first forward unit since the departure of Dustin Penner via trade. He scored the eventual game-winner in Wednesday night’s 4-3 victory.
The 25-year-old winger has just 24 points this season, but was heating up late in the season with six points over his last eight regular-season in addition to the pair he posted in Game 1.
Beleskey will be replaced in the lineup by Devante Smith-Pelly, who had 10 points in 19 games with the Ducks this season and brings some similarities to Beleskey in his style of play. The experience factor will be the biggest difference.
Smith-Pelly had one point in each of Anaheim’s last two games of the regular season.
After how well the top line was clicking early on in Game 1, losing Beleskey definitely isn't ideal, but with the way Perry and Getzlaf have played, you could probably throw anyone out there with them and they'd still be tough to stop.
