Mark J. Terrill / AP

Columbus goalie Steve Mason keeps his eye on the puck — and because he's wearing a mask doesn't have to worry about it injuring his face while making a save.

The first generation of hockey masks were nothing like the complete protection today's masks offer. They were protection against something catastrophic, but a puck off the mask still did damage.

Esposito described the feeling as a suckerpunch.

It was typical to get serious cuts anywhere bone pressed against the mask, like above the eyebrows. But it was a smooth cut, and that was better than the alternative.

"If you had a good surgeon, he could sew you up and you didn't notice anything," Esposito said.

It was an improvement and the goalies of that era appreciated it.

"It took a special person in Plante," Hodge said. "I don't know how long it would have taken to bring the mask in had it not been for him."

Timeline of the goalie mask
February 20, 1930: Clint Benedict of the Montreal Maroons wears a flat, leather mask used by boxers in sparring. He used the contraption for five games, but said it obscured his vision. Later he tried a wire cage-style protector, but said it distracted him.

November 1, 1959: Jacques Plante is generally considered to be the first goalie to wear a modern style, fiberglass mask in an NHL game.

1968-69 season: Boston Bruins goaltender Gerry Cheevers became the first goaltender to decorate his mask. Cheevers was struck in the mask during practice and had trainer John Forristall draw stitches on his mask with a black marker.

October 31, 1972: Doug Favell of the Philadelphia Flyers had his mask painted orange, resembling a pumpkin for a Halloween game against Los Angeles.

April 7, 1974: Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Andy Brown was the last goaltender to appear without a mask, playing with his face unprotected in a 6-3 loss to Atlanta.

1976-77 season: Glenn "Chico" Resch of the New York Islanders is credited as the first goaltender to have an artistic design cover his full mask. Resch's design had the Islanders' logo at the top and it now resides in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

More news

Mark J. Terrill / AP

Wily Coyotes still alive

Shane Doan scored two goals, Mike Smith made 36 saves in his third playoff shutout, and the Phoenix Coyotes emphatically avoided playoff elimination with a 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals on Sunday.

NBC Sports

Highlights: Smith's shutout sparks Coyotes

  Shane Doan scored twice, and Mike Smith notched a shutout as the Phoenix Coyotes staved off elimination with a 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday.

Headlines

• Label

Kings will try to regain focus for Game 5

Doan keeps Coyotes' hopes alive

PHT: Doan doesn't let Coyotes get swept

Kings goalie knew it was 'my best game of the series'

PHT: Kings' power play comes up short

PHT: Russia beats Slovakia 6-2 for Worlds gold

PHT: Tortorella, DeBoer keep sniping

PHT: Devils' Parise explains why he snubbed media