The damage suffered by Los Angeles Kings star ahead Kevin Fiala on Friday is more likely to be season-ending, based on ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski.
The damage occurred throughout Friday’s recreation between Switzerland and Canada on the Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Video games. Fiala, who’s enjoying for Staff Switzerland, suffered the injury when he backed up into a success by Canada ahead Tom Wilson (Washington Capitals).
With each gamers falling to the ice, it was Fiala who in the end suffered the worst a part of the collision. Fiala remained down on the ice for a couple of minutes in apparent ache and appeared unable to maneuver his left leg. He ultimately needed to depart on a stretcher with an air forged on his left leg.
Fiala was dominated out for the remainder of the event virtually instantly after being stretchered off the ice with what the Swiss workforce known as a decrease leg damage. The Swiss workforce additionally stated Fiala had surgical procedure on his leg after being hospitalized.
Devastating information for Los Angeles Kings playoff hopes
Shedding gamers to damage is without doubt one of the greatest fears for NHL groups whereas permitting their star gamers to take part in worldwide and Olympic play, and it has sadly occurred to the Kings. Fiala’s loss is a devastating blow for the Kings, who at present discover themselves simply three factors out of the ultimate wild-card playoff spot within the Western Convention. Fiala was within the midst of an exceptional season, at present rating second on the workforce in factors (40), targets scored (18) and assists (22).
The Kings had additionally simply added former New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin in a commerce proper earlier than the Olympic break, including some juice to the offense and asserting their push in the direction of making a playoff run. The lack of Fiala, nonetheless, definitely dampens the Kings’ hopes, and the addition of Panarin now seems extra like a really well timed and lucky alternative for Fiala quite than an added enhance to a workforce with playoff aspirations. The Kings will now have to maneuver ahead with out considered one of their finest gamers in Fiala.
