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Chicago Blackhawks forward Daniel Carcillo has had a tough go of it to say the least as of late.
Carcillo was eagerly anticipating the 2012-13 lockout-shortened season after rehabilitating from a torn ACL in his left knee suffered just over a year ago.
Now he’s faced with coming back from yet another injury.
In the third period of Saturday’s season opener at the Los Angeles Kings, Carcillo suffered an apparent leg injury after being sandwiched along the boards by Kings’ defenseman Drew Doughty.
It didn’t look good as Carcillo fell to his knees and had to be helped to the bench where after a brief stay he was helped back to the locker room.
The winger is likely sidelined for a significant amount of time.
Following the Hawks’ 5-2 win, Chicago coach Joel Quenneville confirmed what so many feared saying Carcillo would be out for a period of time with a “lower body” injury.
That’s not exactly what Coach Q wanted to be talking about one game into the season.
Making Carcillo’s latest injury sting even more is the fact that he got off to a good start.
Playing nearly 11 minutes on 17 shifts against the Kings, Carcillo assisted Marian Hossa’s goal in the first period prompting Quenneville to say “Danny played a heck of a game.”
Carcillo was looking forward to returning to the Hawks’ lineup, but admitted the condensed schedule was going to be grueling.
Ten of Chicago’s first 12 games are away from the United Center and like every NHL team, the Hawks are dealing with the task of playing 48 games in less than 100 days due to the lockout.
Now, Chicago is once again coping with life without Carcillo. No question it will miss his physical style of play just as they did last year.
With him on the shelf, Brandon Saad will get an opportunity to shine. He was scratched from Saturday’s game, but now will be counted on to make his presence felt.
Doug Griffiths is a member of the Football Writers Association of America and the US Basketball Writers Association. Doug is a columnist/writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter @ISLgriffiths and Facebook.
