(Los Angeles) Goaltender Pheonix Copley will miss the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery earlier this week, the Los Angeles Kings announced Saturday.
This surgical intervention, carried out by Dr Frank Petrigliano at Keck Hospital of the University of Southern California, was needed to treat a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Copley was injured Dec. 15 in practice. His name was immediately placed on the long-term injured list.
The Kings are currently third in the Pacific Division with 46 points, but have lost their last four games, including two in shootouts.
Copley is 4-1-2 with a 3.16 goals-against average and .870 save percentage in eight starts this season.
Cam Talbot, who was selected to play in the National Hockey League All-Star Game earlier this week, is 14-8-3. He leads in average (2.1) and percentage (.925) among goaltenders who have played in at least 20 games.
David Rittich will be his deputy in Copley’s absence. He boasts a 2-0-1 record in three starts.