Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis took a skate to the face after an awkward collision with an opponent.  He skated off of the ice with a towel pressed to his cheek.

Ellis received stitches in his cheek and would return to the game.  Unfortunately for Ellis and Nashville they lost Game 1 to the Winnipeg Jets 4-1.

Not a great start to the series for the Predators.  But there is plenty of hockey left to be played.