Kings get Doughty back after 16-game absence due to knee injury
The Los Angeles Kings' workhorse is making his return to the lineup against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night.
Drew Doughty will play in the evening's matchup after missing the previous 16 contests, Kings head coach Todd McLellan confirmed, according to the club's editorial content manager Zach Dooley.
Doughty hurt his right knee on a collision with Dallas Stars defenseman Jani Hakanpaa on Oct. 22. Five days later, the team revealed Doughty sustained a contusion and was expected to return to game action in about eight weeks, which would've had him coming back around Dec. 22.
The veteran blue-liner, who'll turn 32 on Dec. 8, was enjoying a productive start to the season before missing time. Doughty posted a goal and six assists while averaging 22:37 of ice time over the first four games of the campaign, including a four-point effort in a season-opening win over the Vegas Golden Knights.
Doughty has spent his entire 14-year career with the Kings. He helped them win the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014, then won the Norris Trophy in 2016.