The Los Angeles Kings could be without an important defenceman to start the season.
Drew Doughty was forced to leave against the Golden Knights in the first period after an awkward collision along the boards with Vegas forward Tanner Pearson.
Doughty’s leg got tied up with Pearson and he was unable to put pressure on it as he was helped off the ice.
The Kings announced that Doughty would not return to the game due to a lower-body injury.
Following their 3-2 win, head coach Jim Hillier did not have an update on Doughty’s status but did share with reporters that the plan was for the Kings medical team to “get a closer look at it” back in Los Angeles.
The 34-year-old is entering his 17th season with the Kings, who drafted the defenceman second overall in the 2008 NHL Draft.
Playing in all 82 games last season, Doughty had 15 goals for his first double-digit output since the 2017-18 season. It was also his second-straight season with 50 or more points.
The London, Ont., native remains a workhorse on the Kings blue line as he averaged 25:48 of ice time last season and had 142 blocked shots, which was the most he had since the 2014-15 season.