PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh Penguins centre Jordan Staal returned in the third period after taking a puck to the face and leaving a trail of blood on the ice in Monday's game against New Jersey.

Staal was injured in the second period. He was reaching forward as Devils defenceman Colin White attempted to clear the puck and hit the Pittsburgh forward in the nose.

He went down immediately and was helped off the ice by a trainer.

The 21-year-old wasn't wearing a visor, but he returned at the start of the third with a full face shield and a nasty looking cut on his nose.

He has played 257 consecutive games.