Kings, Doughty appear to avoid ''worst case scenario''

The Los Angeles Kings and defenceman Drew Doughty have reportedly avoided a worst case scenario following a knee injury in Friday's game against the Dallas Stars.

Late in the second period, Doughty collided with Stars defenceman Jani Hakanpaa. The Stars defenceman and Doughty went knee-on-knee and following a video review, Hakanpaa was given a five-minute major for kneeing and a game misconduct. Doughty would need help off the ice and did not return.

According to Frank Seravalli of DailyFaceoff, Doughty only suffered a minor knee sprain.

"Hearing initial prognosis last night on Drew Doughty was positive - a relatively minor knee sprain. Still awaiting final word today from docs, but certainly a welcomed sigh of relief from #LAKings, Doughty and (!) Hockey Canada after a scary sequence. #Beijing2022," Seravalli said in a tweet on Saturday morning.

Hakanpaa will reportedly not receive supplemental discipline for the incident as the NHL's Department of Player Safety deemed that he did not stick out his knee and kept his same position during the hit.

Doughty, 31, was off to a great start to his 2021-22 campaign with the Kings. In four games, the London, Ontario native has seven points (one goal, six assists), two penalty minutes, and is a plus-two.

Hearing initial prognosis last night on Drew Doughty was positive - a relatively minor knee sprain.

Still awaiting final word today from docs, but certainly a welcomed sigh of relief from #LAKings, Doughty and (!) Hockey Canada after a scary sequence. #Beijing2022@DFOHockey— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) October 23, 2021

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