The Los Angeles Kings have confirmed that star forward Kevin Fiala will miss the rest of the regular season due to a successful surgery on his left lower leg, which was injured during the Olympics. Fiala's injury occurred during Switzerland's loss to Canada in Italy, when he was hit by Tom Wilson near the side boards, causing their legs to tangle and fall to the ice. The play was not penalized, and Swiss coach Patrick Fischer described it as an 'accidental' incident.
Fiala's absence is a significant blow to the Kings, who are currently three points out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference. The team recently acquired Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers before the Olympic break, and Fiala was second on the team with 40 points and 18 goals in 56 games. His loss is particularly devastating for the Kings, who are now without one of their key players at a crucial time in the season.
The Kings' teammate, Adrian Kempe, expressed his sadness and sympathy for Fiala, highlighting the personal and team-wide impact of the injury. The incident also raises questions about the risks of sending NHL players to the Olympic tournament, as teams have historically feared injuries to their star players during these international competitions.
