Kings’ Injury Woes Worsen After Vicious Hit Takes Out Young Star

Support Local Media - Click to Add LA Sports Report as a Preferred Source on GoogleLos Angeles Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke left Thursday’s win against the Ottawa Senators after taking a nasty hit in the second period. Senators forward Hayden Hodgson sped down the ice midway through the second quarter, throwing his weight into the back of Clarke’s head and flattening the 23-year-old against the boards. Clarke went down holding his face, gingerly making his way off of the ice after a brief moment. Officials issued Hodgson a five-minute major for the hit alongside a game misconduct. Hayden Hodgson just got a 5 minute major for boarding Brandt Clarke here: pic.twitter.com/MBDM9Ww9u3— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 30, 2026Clarke didn’t return to the game on Thursday, with the team ruling him out with an “upper-body injury.” They are yet to give an update on his status.Prior to his exit, Clarke logged 11:37 on the ice, tallying his ninth point of the season with an assists on the Kings’ first goal of the evening. The Kings scored once during their five-minute power play to make the score 5-1, but a strong final period from the Senators forced overtime. They still pulled out a win, though, as Quentin Byfield scored his second goal of the season to end the game in overtime.How Has Clarke Performed This Season?Clarke inked a five-year, $37 million extension with the Kings during the offseason, and he has shown why they took the chance on him through his 12 games this season.His nine points tie him for second most on the team, and most among Kings defensemen so far. He also ranks highest on the team in blocked shots with 28 on the year. He has become a key piece of the team over the course of his five seasons in the NHL, tallying 18 goals and a total of 90 points through 197 games. Who Else is Injured for the Kings?The Kings haven’t suffered any major injuries in the defense department thus far, but their offense is missing some key contributors early in the season.Kevin Fiala, who finished fifth on the team in points last year with 40 despite playing just 56 games, is yet to appear this season as he nurses a leg injury, and offseason signing Mats Zuccarello is on injured reserve following an upper-body injury of his own.The Kings currently have a 4-6-2 record following a slow start, and will hope Clarke’s injury doesn’t keep him away from the team for too long, if at all. Their next game comes Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres at 1:00 p.m. PT.The post Kings’ Injury Woes Worsen After Vicious Hit Takes Out Young Star appeared first on LA Sports Report.