Carter suffers lower-body injury in second period, does not return

By now, you’re probably aware of the news: Jeff Carter suffered a lower-body injury late in the second period and did not return to the bench to begin the third. Willie Desjardins confirmed that he was “questionable” for Tuesday’s game in New Jersey.

“We’ll just see how it reacts overnight,” Desjardins said. “Usually with things like that you can’t tell until the next morning, so you just have to wait and see how it goes.”

Always helpful Twitter colleague @kingsgifs caught Carter in discomfort as Patrick O’Neal and Daryl Evans broke down what they saw:

Or possibly here: pic.twitter.com/0IFWDXf8eu

— Eric (@Kingsgifs) February 5, 2019

“I honestly didn’t see the hit,” Desjardins said. “There might’ve been a chance he could come back, but we didn’t want to risk anything, so we took him out.”

Carter has 25 points (10-15=25) in 51 games this season and leads Kings forwards with 12 power play points. Michael Amadio took his spot on the first power play unit in the third period and generated a quality scoring chance with a one-timed shot from the slot that was fought off by Henrik Lundqvist.

If Carter does not play Tuesday night in New Jersey when Los Angeles completes a quick three-in-four after an 11-day hiatus, Nate Thompson would be an option to draw back in to the lineup at center. Thompson, who is nearly game-ready after a bye week illness that delayed his arrival on the east coast, didn’t play in Long Island or Manhattan. Desjardins noted at Monday’s morning skate “that’s a big step where you haven’t had any practices to come right in and play,” before insinuating that he would likely return Tuesday.

No update on Carter, who was seen walking gingerly out of the locker room. WD said he'd have to be questionable for tomorrow; have to see how it reacts overnight.

— Curtis Zupke (@curtiszupke) February 5, 2019

–Lead photo via Bruce Bennett/Getty Images