LA Kings defenseman Drew Doughty left the ice in vital ache after an ungainly collision with Tanner Pearson throughout a preseason sport on Wednesday night. The incident occurred halfway via the primary interval and Doughty was unable to place any weight on his left leg and needed to be helped off the ice, sparking considerations a few doubtlessly critical harm.
The Kings’ PR group confirmed through Twitter that Doughty wouldn’t return to the sport, citing a lower-body harm. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman tweeted, “Hoping for the most effective as Kings’ Nation holds its collective breath.”
Whereas no additional particulars have been launched concerning the severity of the harm, followers and analysts are already speculating on the impression this might have on the Kings’ season.
Preseason accidents are at all times powerful, but when Doughty is sidelined for an prolonged interval, it may very well be a significant setback for the Kings. As one of many group’s key gamers and veteran leaders, Doughty’s presence on the blue line is essential to their success. Already a bubble playoff group based on many analysts, Doughty could be one of many causes the Kings stand any probability of getting in, even when a small one.
Doughty completed final season with 50 factors in 82 video games, averaging 25:48 per sport. Few defensemen eat as many minutes on any given night time as Doughty. The Kings don’t have anybody shut on the proper aspect that might substitute his minutes.
For now, all eyes are on the subsequent harm replace, because the Kings hope that is only a precautionary absence quite than a long-term difficulty. This marked Doughty’s first look of the 2024-25 season, as he sat out the group’s opening preseason sport towards the Utah Hockey Membership.
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