Gaborik Hurt

It was inevitable. Like death, taxes and the cancellation of the Jay Leno Show, the Rangers' Marion Gaborik got hurt. That was the knock on Gaborik's otherwise brilliant career: that he couldn't stay healthy during a full season. And as is customary with this star-crossed franchise, the incident occurred not during a game but at practice.(Quick, someone cue up Allen Iverson's "we talkin 'bout practice?)

Gaborik suffered what's being described as a "deep laceration" after colliding with goalie Henrik Lundqvist during shooting drills. On the surface, one might say a cut is no big deal. However, skate blades are razor sharp and can do some serious damage. NHL fans will not soon forget the scene after goalie Clint Malarchuk throat was inadvertently slashed by a skate. Gruesome scene. Luckily, Gabby's cut was on his leg.

It's unclear how long Gaborik will be out. This is a big hit to the team's offense. The Great Gaborik, who managed to stay healthy all year, was putting up big numbers in his first season on Broadway: 69 points (35 goals) in 57 games. Rangers fans knew it in their hearts: It wasn't a question of if but when. Now is when.