Kings lose top two goaltenders to injuries
The season isn’t even two weeks old, and the Kings’ top two goaltenders are injured.
On Saturday, it was No. 2 goaltender Jeff Zatkoff, who was hurt during the morning skate and had to be helped off the ice. The Kings said Zatkoff suffered a lower-body injury and would be considered questionable for Saturday night’s game against Vancouver.
It is likely the Kings will call up goaltender Jack Campbell from their minor-league affiliate in Ontario, Calif., later on Saturday to join goalie Peter Budaj in Los Angeles. Budaj was the Kings’ starter in Thursday’s 4-3 overtime win at Dallas.
Already, the Kings have been dealing with a major blow: the loss of franchise goaltender Jonathan Quick, who is out with an injured groin and may be unavailable for about three months.
Like Quick, Zatkoff injured his groin, but a goalie being hurt during a morning skate is rare.
“It’s part of the game — people are going to get injured,” said Kings defenseman Drew Doughty. “I guess for goalies to get injured ... obviously the players get hurt more than the goaltenders because we have to play physical and stuff like that. They’re doing a lot of flexibility moves to make saves, so it’s going to happen. Hopefully he’s OK.”
Said Kings Coach Darryl Sutter: “He [Zatkoff] stopped a shot, and his groin tightened up. We’ve seen it in a game, and now we’ve seen it in practice.”
Twitter: @reallisa
ALSO
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Injured Kings goalie Jonathan Quick undergoes procedure, is expected to miss about three months
Playing for the injured Jonathan Quick, Jeff Zatkoff struggles in goal for 0-3 Kings
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