Early injuries could spell trouble for Stars, Kings
A team is only as good as its players, but when a high number of roster regulars are absent or a position is depleted from injuries, any team suffers.
The Los Angeles Kings and Dallas Stars are two clubs that are facing some of the greatest obstacles when it comes to injuries right now. Their roster voids are a cause for concern as each team is struggling to find consistency in their play.
Los Angeles Kings Injuries
The Kings were disappointed and fearful when dominant goaltender Jonathan Quick fell to injury on opening night. The two-time Stanley Cup winner injured his groin making a relatively routine save on San Jose Sharks forward Joe Pavelski.
He’s expected to be absent from the Kings’ line-up for a minimum of three months. No. 32 underwent a non-surgical procedure to help move his healing process along.
His injury alone to a team that is dependent upon Quick’s success is enough to evoke a sense of fear. At that point, however, they still had Jeff Zatkoff and Peter Budaj. Combined the two seemed like an okay duo to hold down the fort until Quick’s return.
Then tragedy struck again when Zatkoff injured his groin during a morning skate last week. That left the Kings with the backup to Quick’s backup in Budaj as their designated starter and forced them to call up Jack Campbell from their minor league affiliate.
Campbell has played in only one NHL game, a 6-3 loss for the Dallas Stars to the Anaheim Ducks in 2013.
Los Angeles, however, is powering through the injuries in the blue paint because it’s really all they can do. For them, the focus has to be on outscoring their opponents, which is a challenge for a team that averaged 2.72 goals per game last season.
Their best bet is to score as much as possible, have a strong defensive start to the year and try to stay competitive until Quick returns to his throne. Until then, the Kings will have their fingers and toes crossed.
Dallas Stars
Dallas is in a similar situation as the Kings, but at a different position and to a lesser degree. Since the start of training camp and the World Cup of Hockey Dallas has had over half a dozen forwards sit out due to injury.
Tyler Seguin suffered a hairline fracture in his heel that prevented him from playing in the World Cup and most of the preseason. He was good to go for the Stars’ home opener and has played in all of their games thus far. Ales Hemsky fell to a groin strain in the World Cup and only just returned to the line-up in last Saturday’s 3-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Radek Faksa sat out of some preseason games as he nursed his upper-body injury back to health. He has played in all five of Dallas’ games during the regular season, though. Rookie Devin Shore missed some time in the preseason with an undisclosed injury, but has played in all five games for the Stars and is currently ninth in the rookie scoring race.
Still Sidelined
Mattias Janmark is out at least five or six months after discovering he suffers from a genetic disorder that weakens the strength of his joints. He had corrective surgery that went well, but will sit for the bulk of the regular season.
Newcomer Jiri Hudler fell victim to the flu and was placed on injured reserve after missing three games. He’s expected to begin skating again shortly, but will take time to readjust being that he lost strength because of the illness.
Cody Eakin cannot play at the moment because of a knee injury that has kept him out of the line-up for the start of the regular season. He is expected to return in the middle of November.
Lastly, Patrick Sharp was injured in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Kings on October 20th when he was hit by a King’s defender. The hit caused his head to hit into the boards and he left the game with concussion-like symptoms. He’s expected to be out for “a while.”
With all of the injuries at the forward position, Dallas is rather depleted up front. They have still managed to keep their captain Jamie Benn healthy and veteran Jason Spezza has been producing consistently. While overall the Stars’ offense has reached a slump, they have to be hopeful for what’s to come when injured players begin to return.
Health will continue to be an important part of Dallas’ season and they have to hope that the worst is behind them.
Overall
Injuries don’t usually spell the end of the season for teams, but with the significant injuries the Kings and Stars have dealt with thus far they’ll certainly have an influence.
Los Angeles hopefully has a confident netminder in Budaj who can take the league by storm, or at the very least keep the Kings competitive until Quick’s return.
Dallas will rely on scoring from the healthy members of their top six, as well as contributions from their depth forwards. They’ll need their defensive core to contribute to scoring as well.
Ultimately the beginning of the season sets the tone for its remainder and the Kings and Stars have to hope they overcome their injury issues before its too late.
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