Brutal news from the Ottawa Senators: Erik Karlsson’s injury will require surgery and that could mean the end of the reigning Norris Trophy winner’s 2013 season.
The official word is that he’s out indefinitely. The injury is described as a lacerated Achilles tendon in his left leg.
Karlsson was injured after a collision with Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cooke. You can watch video of that bit of bad luck in this post.
Here’s a stunning capture of the injury, via the Associated Press:
Yikes.
However you feel about Cooke’s intentions, Ottawa was clearly upset with the incident. Chris Neil received a double-minor for roughing Cooke in the third period, leading to dual ejections.
This represents the most significant injury the Senators have faced this season, but far from the only one. Jason Spezza is also sidelined indefinitely thanks to back surgery while Milan Michalek, Guillaume Latendresse, Peter Regin and Jared Cowen are also on the sidelines with issues of varying severity.
What kind of impact will this loss have on the Senators? Keith Jones and Mike Milbury weigh in:
Related: Video of the injury.