Nick Grossmann was counting his blessings at the morning skate Tuesday that it had been quite a while since he had suffered an injury blocking a shot.

Well, Grossmann, who has had an outstanding season so far, was injured in the first period and did not return.

He didn’t block a shot, though. Sources originally said he was believed to have suffered a hip flexor, but upon being reevaluated after the game, it was determined instead to be a groin injury.

“He’s been playing real well for us,” coach Peter Laviolette said. “To take a guy out of the lineup, puts stress on the back end. To lose someone like that is difficult.”

Grossmann actually finished the period.