Video: Jordan Staal's Knee Injury

The Penguins faced one of the hottest NHL teams on Friday night, the New York Rangers. After the Pens fell by a final score of 3-1, the loss wasn't the only dark cloud over Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Penguins center Jordan Staal's left knee collided with Mike Rupp late in the third period. Staal immediately went to the ice, writhing in pain. 

It was a collision that did not look intentional. Rupp, a former Pittsburgh Penguin, came in to hit Staal with a very wide stance, but it did not look like he expanded his legs shortly before impact, indicating that the knee to knee collision probably was not intentional.

NHL Senior Vice President of Player Safety Brendan Shanahan has been busy lately. He will more than likely take a look at this play, but it would be surprising to see Rupp miss any time.

There is no word yet on the severity of the injury, but the loss of the Penguins' current No. 2 center and best penalty killer could put an injury-riddled team in an even more difficult spot.

A night that had started out so well with a goal from young defenseman Ben Lovejoy was soon dampened when Brad Richards banged away the equalizer in the first period. 

From there things continued to spiral downhill as Brandon Dubinsky banged away the go ahead goal on a feed from Rangers captain Ryan Callahan. 

A goal from Derek Stepan in the third period and a disallowed goal from James Neal due to goaltender interference from Chris Kunitz were enough to send the Penguins home dissatisfied. 

Staal was not the only Penguin to get banged up in the game either. Richard Park returned tonight after being on hiatus for 11 games with a foot injury.

Stu Bickel hit Park with the butt end of his stick accidentally, cutting Park around the eye. 

Luckily, Park returned after having been cared for in the locker room. The Penguins are going to need Park to man center for one of their lines if Staal is out for an extended period of time.