The difference between blocking an opponent's shot and your own teammate's shot is that one you're actually trying to do and the other most of the time happens by accident.
For example, penalty killers know their job is to get in the shooting lanes and put their bodies on the line so pucks don't reach the net.
However, the last thing a player around the opposing team's net wants is to get in the way of a teammate's shot for multiple reasons, one of which is getting hit by mistake with the puck.
Unfortunately for Bo Horvat, that happened Friday night as Nikita Tryamkin's blast hit Horvat in the head during the Canucks and Panthers game.
Horvat did return to the game, but not without a few stitches and a gruesome looking cut.
Imagine if Horvat was playing when helmets weren't worn during games. The damage could have been a lot worse to say the least.
Luckily for the Canucks and Horvat, he wasn't seriously hurt, especially since he's on pace for a career high in goals, assists and points this season.
(H/T: Vancouver Canucks)
