Pantheon Of Pain

1930s
Three hours after police stop a bloody on-ice battle in Toronto between the Montreal Maroons' Lionel Conacher and his brother Charlie, of the Leafs, the two return to their parents' nearby home to share cold cuts, ice packs and cold cuts doubling as ice packs.

March 28, 1957
Red Wings goalie Glenn Hall, who played in 552 straight games, is knocked out by a slap shot in the first period of a semifinal game against the Bruins. He's taken to a hospital, where he gets 23 stitches in the mouth, and returns to play the third period.

1992-93 season
Mario Lemieux's chronic back pain can't keep him from winning the scoring title or the league MVP award. However, it prevents him from tying and untying his skates, a task often performed by his teammates.

1973-74 season
Islanders defenseman Denis Potvin suffers a fractured instep early in the season. Doctors apply a quick-drying, form-fitting cast before each game, and he plays wearing an extra-large skate. Potvin can't walk properly, but he skates well enough to win the Calder Trophy.

April 18, 1991
Right wing Tomas Sandstrom of the Kings fractures the bone below his right knee in a playoff game against the Oilers. After scoring a goal two games later, he insists, "It was only a little bone."

Nov. 9, 1969
Flyers defenseman Ed Van Impe loses eight teeth after blocking a shot in the second period against the Oakland Seals. Trainers sew his split tongue together so that he can return for the third period.

April 14, 1994
Brendan Shanahan of the Blues is cut by a high stick from the Jets' Keith Tkachuk in the first period. After taking 40 stitches to close the cut, Shanahan returns to score twice in St. Louis's 3-1 win and beats up Tkachuk in the third period.

Dec. 26, 1987
Asked why he returned one period after breaking his nose against the Red Wings, Pittsburgh defenseman Rod Buskas answers, "I don't skate with my nose."

March 28, 1950
Family members and a priest are brought to the hospital after the Red Wings' Gordie Howe suffers a skull fracture when he is checked into the sideboards against the Leafs. He returns the next season to win scoring title and retires 30 years later.

1963-64 season
The Bruins' Ed Johnston, the last goalie to play every game in one season, breaks his nose three times in a 10-day span. Doctors at a Boston hospital put leeches on his eyelids to reduce the blood buildup.