In a night riddled with NHL game action, the games were also riddled with injuries. The Boston Bruins faced a setback as defenseman Matt Grzelcyk left the game due to an upper-body injury. Head coach Jim Montgomery provided limited details, mentioning the injury’s nature but leaving its severity uncertain. Grzelcyk, an integral part of the Bruins’ defensive lineup, may be sidelined for a couple of weeks, potentially affecting the team’s strategies in upcoming games.
In the same clash, the Florida Panthers’ Sam Bennett faced misfortune, sustaining a left leg injury. The incident occurred during a tense on-ice battle with Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm. Lindholm inadvertently placed his skate on the back of Bennett’s left leg, causing Bennett to collapse in pain. The Panthers’ forward was visibly distressed, grabbing his lower leg and requiring assistance to leave the ice. Bennett, who had recently returned after missing seven games due to a lower-body injury, now faces an uncertain recovery period, impacting the Panthers’ offensive dynamics.
Lukas Dostal is in net for us to start the second. John Gibson is out with an upper-body injury. pic.twitter.com/aWISyS4Ed7
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) October 31, 2023
Meanwhile, the Anaheim Ducks encountered a setback of their own when goaltender John Gibson exited the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins due to an upper-body injury. Gibson’s departure raised concerns among Ducks’ fans, especially given the exceptional save he made earlier, denying Sidney Crosby in what could be a contender for save of the year. The remarkable effort, while celebrated by fans, appeared to cause discomfort, possibly leading to Gibson’s injury.
As the league grapples with these injuries, teams must swiftly adjust their strategies and roster placements to compensate for the absence of key players. The impact of these setbacks reaches beyond individual games, potentially influencing team dynamics and performance in the coming weeks.
It’s not clear how long some of these players will be out or how serious the issues are, but the teams will have to adjust accordingly.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!