Kings Phil Danault reveals he played through gross injury in playoffs

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Liam McCormick
May 3, 2024 (11:54)

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Each year as teams get eliminated in the Stanley Cup playoffs, fans are reminded why hockey players are the toughest athletes in any sport. Every year, players will play through serious injuries just to battle with their team.

During exit interviews today, Kings forward Philip Danault revealed that he had broken both index fingers, and still played every game.

Phillip Danault said he was playing with both index fingers broken.

Broke the right one before the playoffs and the left one during Game 2.

Phil Danault is regarded as one of the best defensive forwards in the NHL, and is a key part of the Kings strategy to shut down Connor McDavid in the playoffs. This injury explains his poorer performance than usual, and then how the Oilers were able to eliminate the Kings so quickly. With two broken fingers, Danault would've had an impossible time with stick checking or faceoffs, which are key parts to his game.

In all facets this year, the Edmonton Oilers dominated the Los Angeles Kings. The Oilers showed their maturity and prowess by beating the Kings with high flying offence, lockdown defence, and team toughness. After the game, even Drew Doughty admitted there were no excuses for the Kings loss - the Oilers were simply better in every capacity.

After ending their season for the third straight year in the same fashion, the Los Angeles Kings will take a hard look at themselves and have to re-evaluate their team, but this debilitating injury to a key player in Phil Danault may have been too much for the Kings to overcome.