It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that Patrick Eaves won’t be able to play for the Dallas Stars against the St. Louis Blues in their upcoming Game 2.
The last time we saw Eaves, he was leaving the ice by gliding on one foot after being hit by a teammate’s shot. He needed help to the locker room and was seen on crutches according to Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News.
The bad news is that Eaves cannot go. The good news is that the Stars can replace him with a player who boasts considerable offensive skill, as Valeri Nichushkin will take Eaves’ place.
Patrick Eaves on crutches today with foot injury. Lindy Ruff says he is day to day. Said Val Nichushkin will play Game 2.
— Mike Heika (@MikeHeika) April 30, 2016
Nichushkin wasn’t very effective in five postseason games so far, failing to score a point and only managed three shots on goal.
Still, if the frenetic pace of Game 1 carries on through this series, Nichushkin could very well make an impact.
Update: the Stars have other options at forward after making recalls:
The Dallas Stars have recalled LW Curtis McKenzie and RW Brett Ritchie from the Texas Stars (AHL).
— Mark Stepneski (@StarsInsideEdge) April 30, 2016