Initial X-Ray shows Kings’ Drew Doughty has fractured ankle

Concerning news for one of the top stars on the Los Angeles Kings’ roster, as an initial x-ray revealed that defenseman Drew Doughty has a fractured ankle.

Daily Faceoff insider Frank Seravalli reports that the veteran blueliner suffered an injury to his left ankle and is slated for more imaging on Thursday. The team hopes that Doughty’s ailment is only a fracture and not any structural damage.

Seravalli also stated that there is no timeline for Doughty’s return.

The 34-year-old sustained the injury during the Kings’ preseason game against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday. Doughty was going in to angle off Tanner Pearson inside his own blue line. Unfortunately, Doughty fell awkwardly into the boards, with his left leg being contorted.

He had to be helped off the ice, and didn’t return to the game. It was Doughty’s first bit of preseason action, as he didn’t dress for L.A.’s first game against the Utah Hockey Club.

Doughty is coming off another productive season at both ends of the rink. The London, Ontario native scored 15 goals in 82 games, the first time since the 2017-18 campaign he scored at least 10 goals in a season. His 50 points marked the second year in a row he hit that mark and the fifth time in his 16-year NHL career.

Doughty also posted a plus/minus of +15, the highest rating he registered in six seasons.

His efforts helped the Kings make it back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second straight year, losing to the Edmonton Oilers again, this time in five games.

Doughty has appeared in 1,177 games, all with the Kings. He has notched 156 goals and 513 assists for 669 points. He is widely regarded as one of the best two-way defenders of his generation, which earned him the Norris Trophy as the league’s best defenseman in 2016.

Doughty has also scored 57 points in 95 playoff appearances, with his play in the 2012 and 2014 postseasons catapulting the Kings to the franchise’s first two Stanley Cups.