Ducks' Josh Manson suffers upper body injury in Game 1

Josh Manson’s availability to the Anaheim Ducks moving forward in the series with the Nashville Predators is in question after he left Game 1 in the first period and did not return.

Manson took a hit from Filip Forsberg as he was taking a shot during the dying seconds of the opening period Friday night.

Those in attendance noted some head contact on the hit:

The Ducks announced during the second period that Manson would not return due to an upper body injury.

Friday was the 24-year-old’s playoff debut.

In 71 regular season games Manson registered five goals and 10 assists while averaging 18:46 a night in ice time. He also led all Ducks defensemen with a plus-11 rating.

Manson’s injury could mean Kevin Bieksa returns to the lineup for Game 2 on Sunday. According to Eric Stephens of The Orange County Register, Bieksa was a game-time decision, but did not play in Game 1.

Bieksa missed the final nine regular season games due to an upper body injury suffered in the Ducks 6-5 overtime loss to the Maple Leafs on March 24.

The 34-year-old scored four goals and 15 points while averaging 21 minutes a night in ice time in 71 regular season games.