Justin Abdelkader left Thursday's game late in the first period after taking a puck to the face, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Abdelkader left Thursday's game late in the first period after taking a puck to the face, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Analysis:

Abdelkader needed to be helped off the ice and taken into the locker room because of the injury. He didn't return for the remainder of the first period, though there wasn't much time left, but the team will likely update his status for the remainder of the game at some point in the near future.