Hockey can be a brutal sport. And as Mike Green found out today, in case he hadn't known before, hockey can be very painful too.

At the end of the first period of today's key matchup between the Capitals and Penguins, Green was struck in the face by a puck, and had to leave the game. Despite being listed as questionable, Green did not return to the ice.

Not for the squeamish, here's video of the injury, video of the blood pouring onto the ice, and a video highlight package from ESPN.

The injury to Mike Green came on a slapshot from Pittsburgh's Brooks Orpik from point position, and does not seem likely to keep the defenseman out of action for an extended period of time, as he told our Adam Vingan in the locker room following the game.

"I'm alright," Green said. "I got hit in the head obviously with the puck, so it doesn't feel that great ... I feel good," Green said. "It's unfortunate that I couldn't come back, but I'm all stitched up and hopefully can come back next game. We'll see how I feel in the morning and we'll assess it from there."