Doughty helped off ice after crash into boards
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty exited Wednesday's preseason contest early against the Vegas Golden Knights after an awkward fall into the boards.
Drew Doughty takes an awkward fall and leaves the game.#GoKingsGo #VegasBorn #VGKvsLAK pic.twitter.com/nZkNvnkpuh
— LA Royalty (@LARoyalty1967) September 26, 2024
Doughty favored his left leg while being helped off the ice. Los Angeles eventually ruled the veteran out for the remainder of the game with a lower-body injury.
An initial X-ray showed a fracture in Doughty's left ankle, sources told DailyFaceoff's Frank Seravalli. The blue-liner is reportedly scheduled for additional imaging Thursday.
Even at age 34, a healthy Doughty remains paramount to the Kings' success. He recorded 15 goals and 50 points in 82 games last season to finish 11th in Norris Trophy voting. Doughty has been a finalist for the award four times in his career, winning in 2015-16.
Doughty has been one of the game's true workhorses since entering the league in 2008-09. He's led the Kings in ice time in each of his 16 NHL campaigns and has finished in the top five league-wide in average ice time in every season since 2014-15.
Los Angeles lacks experience on the right side of the blue line behind Doughty, with Jordan Spence, Brandt Clarke, and Kyle Burroughs making up the depth chart.