While preseason games don’t ultimately matter for star players, the reps are necessary, but they bring with them the risk of injury.
The Los Angeles Kings could be in serious trouble after their preseason game against the Vegas Golden Knights, with star defenseman Drew Doughty leaving the game in the first period with a nasty looking injury.
Not long after leaving the game, the Kings confirmed that Doughty would not return due to a lower-body injury.
Defenseman Drew Doughty will not return to tonight’s game due to a lower-body injury.
— LA Kings PR (@LAKingsPR) September 26, 2024
This could certainly be a precautionary move from the Kings, and you hope it is, but the injury looked like a serious one.
The Kings would be in some real trouble if Doughty misses significant time.
There’s a silver lining, however small it is.
The Kings proved three seasons ago they can survive and make the playoffs without Doughty, although they won’t want to test that again this season.
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The other potential silver lining is the opportunity it gives to Brandt Clarke and Jordan Spence.
They would both move up the lineup and could take advantage of a big opportunity.
One of them would take top pair duties and would quarterback the top power-play unit.
Obviously, the Kings would take a significant downgrade, but it would be invaluable experience for one of Spence or Clarke and potentially both.
Sometimes young players rise to the occasion in a situation like this and have breakout seasons.
Those two will have to take the reins eventually and now might be the time for it to happen.
