NHL News: Kraken lose Chris Driedger (ACL), Brayden Point possible for Game 5, and more
Anthony Scultore
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The latest NHL News starts with another injury that required surgery.
Seattle Kraken goalie Chris Driedger was hurt on May 29, in the third period of Canada’s 4-3 overtime loss to Finland at the 2022 World Championship. He is expected to need seven to nine months for recovery after surgery to repair a torn ACL.
Driedger is likely to miss at least the first three months of the 2022-23 season. The timetable for his return is January.
Philipp Grubauer is the team’s number 1 goaltender, and Joey Daccord is currently considered the backup.
Driedger, 28, was 9-14-1 for the Kraken with an .899 SV% and a 2.96 GAA. Seattle claimed him from the Florida Panthers in the Expansion Draft that occurred on July 21, 2021. They immediately signed him to a three-year deal worth $3.5M AAV.
Brayden Point not ruled out for Game 5
Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point was not officially ruled out for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final but remains doubtful.
“I can honestly answer this question with ‘I don’t know,'” coach Jon Cooper said Wednesday. “I’ll find out when I get on the plane, so I’ll have an answer for you tomorrow. But now we’re getting into the point where I don’t know if there will be definitive outs. I’d be surprised if he plays this next game, honestly, but I’m not going to sit here and say he’s out for the series anymore.”
NHL.com
Point, 26, posted 58 points (28 goals, 30 assists) in 66 games. In seven playoff contests, he’s added two goals and two assists. He injured his leg against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 7 of the Lightning’s opening round series.
UPDATE: Brayden Point ruled out for Game 5
Eastern Conference Final a big draw
The NHL Playoffs on ESPN have become a major success which has both the league and the broadcast network elated.
The Eastern Conference is really drawing in viewers with an average of 2.24M people, which is up 71% versus last season.
Overall the playoffs are up 27% in viewership.
