The Florida Panthers announced today that goaltender Chris Driedger is sidelined for several weeks with a lower-body injury.
#FlaPanthers announce Chris Driedger will be out several weeks with a lower-body injury. Falls in line with a groin pull, as I initially suspected, and @GeorgeRichards reported yesterday.
— David Dwork (@DavidDwork) January 18, 2020
Chris Driedger Out with Groin Injury
On Thursday night, halfway through the first period against the Los Angeles Kings, Panthers goalie Chris Driedger left the game early and did not return. Driedger slid toward the right post awkwardly and went down immediately after. He needed help off the ice after stretching out to make a save, Sam Montembeault replaced him to finish the game.
So far this season, Chris Driedger has played nine games, recording a 5-2-1 record while maintaining a .932 save percentage. Overall this season, Driedger has posted a 2.35 goals-against average.
Over his four-year NHL career, Driedger has not seen a lot of ice time. He played for the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers. He has 12 games played, with five wins and three losses. Chris was originally drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the third round, 76th overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
What This Means for the Future
With constant questions circling the Florida Panthers goaltending, their most constant option is out for several weeks with a groin injury. Driedger has been fantastic since called up. In his first career game with the Panthers, he recorded his first shutout in a 3-0 win over the struggling Nashville Predators.
With the All-Star break coming up, this gives Driedger 10 days alone to recover. Moving forward, the Florida Panthers activated Sergei Bobrovsky to start the first half of a six-game road trip. The Panthers begin facing off against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night. Driedger will most likely miss all three games before the break starts.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
