For every Cam Ward returning there’s a Ben Bishop going down. This is how the NHL works and it has been vicious to fantasy hockey owners. No one likes to use the word vicious but how else do you explain the amount and timing of injuries in the 2013-14 season? Exactly, I certainly can’t. For a year that has had such an ominous feel, Thursday night was a sign that it could actually get worse. Fantasy hockey owners can only take so much of this after all. Again, several injuries occurred but let’s start with the big one.
Ain’t that a kick in the head fantasy hockey fans?
Ben Bishop was injured Thursday night when he was hit in the head by his own teammate early in the first period against the Ottawa Senators. Ottawa would score on the play but the loss of Bishop was much more significant. The score did not even matter. Marc Methot ultimately put the puck in the net and eventually Ottawa won the game 5-3, but all anyone could talk about fantasy wise was the Bishop injury. Fortunately, there was some fairly good news from the Tampa Bay beat writers.
Cooper on Bishop: “I think Ben’s going to be okay. I checked on him after the first, he said he was feeling pretty good…” (1 of 2)
— Missy Zielinski (@Missy_Zielinski) January 31, 2014
Cooper cont’d: “…I think it was more of a precaution that we kept him out.” (2 of 2)
— Missy Zielinski (@Missy_Zielinski) January 31, 2014
Again, this feels a lot like the hand injury Bishop suffered on January 5. He should not be out very long but do not be surprised if he misses a game or three as a precaution. Bishop is currently being listed as day to day which is a lot better than this could have gone. After all, any concussion is a dangerous one so the fact that all baseline tests were passed is an encouraging sign (according to reports). The number one fantasy hockey goaltender should be just fine.
Injury News And Notes:
Dainius Zubrus (New Jersey) — Zubrus left Thursday night’s game versus Dallas with a leg injury after blocking a shot. We will know more later today before New Jersey faces Nashville.
Mike Green (Washington) — It seems Green is injured once again. Green was hit hard into the boards by Boone Jenner and suffered a possible concussion and/or shoulder injury. The head part is more of a concern as he was motionless on the ice for several minutes. More will be known after Washington lands in Detroit.
Valtteri Filppula (Tampa Bay) — Filppula suffered a lower body injury during the second period of Thursday night’s loss against Ottawa. He has been listed as day to day until more is known.
Cam Ward (Carolina) — There is some good news. Ward was activated off the IR and is expected to possibly take a conditioning stint with the Charlotte Checkers over the weekend. We will monitor his progress but keep in mind that Anton Khudobin is playing very well right now so Ward may have a tough time unseating him as starter.
