Job Hazard

"Chris Kunitz #14 of the Tampa Bay Lightning gets kicked in the face against by Tom Wilson #43 of the Washington Capitals during the third period in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on May 17, 2018 in Washington, DC."

It's crunch time in hockey as only two teams remain in the playoffs.

When the season began, no one can predict those teams would be vying for the Stanley Cup. Yet in the same breath, photographers can never imagine what might happen in front of their lens.

During Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals I shot from an elevated position for a change of pace and was shocked when Chris Kunitz of the Tampa Bay Lightning nearly lost his eye.

A rather minor collision resulted in an image that shows just why many players wear visors. Though in this instance, it almost wasn't enough.

A good example of why sports photography is about never letting your guard down.