Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Kings believe Doughty’s upper-body injury isn’t serious

Los Angeles Kings v Pittsburgh Penguins

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 27: Drew Doughty #8 of the Los Angeles Kings skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the game at Consol Energy Center on March 27, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Justin K. Aller

The Los Angeles Kings indicate that key defenseman Drew Doughty dodged a bullet despite leaving Thursday’s game against the San Jose Sharks with an upper-body injury. LA Kings Insider passes along word from head coach Darryl Sutter on Friday that Doughty even has an outside chance of playing for the Kings on Saturday.

Doughty, 24, suffered the ailment via this collision from last night’s game:

The Kings are almost certainly locked into third place in the Pacific Division, so there might be less incentive for the blueliner to push things, although Los Angeles seems focused on entering the playoffs on a high note.

For some, the 2014 Olympics were a coming out party for Doughty, as the high-end defenseman’s numbers (37 points in 77 games) sometimes seem a little understated in the Kings’ tight system.

That Olympic run might make an argument that he could actually use a little break, but we’ll see if he needs it.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins