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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFILE – Czech Republic’s goalie Dominik Hasek, of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, lies on the ice after injuring his leg during the first period against Germany during a 2006 Winter Olympics men’s ice hockey match Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006, in Turin, Italy. (AP Photo\/Eric Risberg, File)<\/p>\n
\n The NHL is back in the Games for the first time since 2014, when John Tavares\u2019 season with the New York Islanders was cut short when he tore ligaments in his left knee playing for Canada in Sochi. Owners decided not to go to Pyeongchang in 2018 for various reasons, and losing players to injuries at the Olympics has always been an argument against taking part.<\/p>\n
Two decades ago in Turin, six-time Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender and two-time NHL MVP Dominik Hasek tore an adductor muscle, just below his groin, and did not play again for the Ottawa Senators. They lost in the second round when backup Ray Emery allowed 16 goals in five games, and owner Eugene Melnyk in 2021 before his death in 2022 said Hasek\u2019s injury cost his team a shot at the Stanley Cup.<\/p>\n
Brock Nelson was on the Islanders 12 years ago when they had to go the rest of the way without Tavares and missed the playoffs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cJohnny was our leader at the time,\u201d said Nelson, who\u2019s playing for the U.S. in Milan. \u201cDevastating. You\u2019re happy for him to go over there and represent his country on the biggest stage, but to see him go down was tough. And then for us on the Island, you have to try and bridge that gap as best you can.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nelson knows exactly how Kempe and the Kings feel from that experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously you\u2019re never going to replace guys like that \u2014 both Johnny and Kevin \u2014 but there\u2019s opportunity for guys to be had and I\u2019m sure it\u2019ll be a group mindset for them to try to overcome it,\u201d Nelson said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Kings acquiring high-scoring winger Artemi Panarin in a trade with the New York Rangers just before the roster freeze on Feb. 4 is certainly a boost, but Fiala\u2019s absence still creates a void. He\u2019s their second-leading scorer with 40 points in 46 games.<\/p>\n
A team spokesperson said general manager Ken Holland and coach Jim Hiller will address Fiala\u2019s status when L.A. resumes practice on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The Kings are three points out of the second and final wild-card spot in the Western Conference with 26 games remaining and will attempt to close that gap without Fiala.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope it\u2019s a speedy recovery for Kevin,\u201d said Kempe, who leads the team with 46 points. \u201cHe\u2019s an unbelievable player, a great teammate and obviously it sucks to see something happen like that to him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kempe, Nelson and the rest of the NHL players at the Olympics expressed empathy over Fiala\u2019s injury. They understand anything can happen when they step onto the ice.\u00a0<\/p>\n