The minute Alex Pietrangelo introduced he was not taking part in for Group Canada on the 4 Nations Faceoff on account of damage, all eyes have been on Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty.
Doughty appeared to be the preeminent favourite to switch Pietrangelo on Group Canada, although he had been out with an damage for many of the season. Doughty missed the primary 47 video games of the Kings season after breaking his ankle within the preseason. So, the teaching workers and administration for Group Canada wished to see how Doughty performed in his return for the primary since injuring his ankle. Even Doughty wasn’t certain if he would get the decision.
“Ever since that occurred, my eyes have been set on making this workforce,” Doughty stated to the media on Day 1 of Apply for Group Canada. “So, I’m very lucky and really completely satisfied.”
Many questioned if the Kings have been going to ease Doughty into the lineup. That was not the case. As a matter of truth, his ice time elevated with every passing recreation. Doughty averaged round 27 minutes of ice time within the six video games he performed earlier than the break. Within the closing recreation in opposition to the Anaheim Geese, he averaged over 31 minutes of ice time. So, if there was a query about whether or not Drew Doughty was prepared or not, he handed the take a look at with flying colours.
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Whereas different gamers want a break, Doughty must play due to all of the video games he missed. When requested about it earlier than being named to the workforce this previous week, he stated he hoped to get an opportunity to play for Group Canada.
“Very, very, very… I wish to be there,” Doughty instructed the media. “(Getzlaf) mainly simply requested if I assumed I’d be able to play at that prime stage. There are guys that they’re . They’re going to look at me to see how my recreation is. So hopefully, I play properly sufficient.”
Drew Doughty has been eyeing the 4 Nations Face-off like the remainder of the gamers for the reason that summer season. He has performed for Group Canada on the largest stage, successful Gold on the 2010 and 2014 Olympics. As well as, he was on Group Canada, the place he received gold on the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. So there was further motivation to play for Canada on the 4 Nations Face-off as it’s the first best-on-best match that includes NHLers since 2016.
“It meant the world to me,” Doughty stated on getting the decision. “I all the time wish to play for Group Canada, all the time love honoring the nation. I didn’t know if I’d have the prospect or not. After I obtained the decision I used to be on the the workforce it was among the best days I had in plenty of months.”
Doughty pressured himself to get again within the lineup as shortly as doable. Whereas there have been different names like MacKenzie Weegar of the Calgary Flames and Evan Bouchard of the Edmonton Oilers, if Drew Doughty was wholesome sufficient to play for the Kings and his recreation was on the stage of Group Canada Officers, he can be named to the workforce. If Doughty hadn’t gotten harm, he would have been named again in December.
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Whereas it’s unlucky Alex Pietrangelo couldn’t play on the 4 Nations Faceoff, Drew Doughty wished to be there—actually, actually wished to be there. He did every little thing in his energy to get again to taking part in on the ice this season. Now, he’s a day away from suiting up for Group Canada in opposition to Sweden.
Whereas Doughty will probably be proud of any function, let’s face it: He will probably be within the high 4, changing Pietrangelo subsequent to Shea Theodore. Doughty was not going to be a seventh defenseman. He’s nonetheless among the best defensemen within the NHL and is aware of what it takes to win, particularly within the massive moments.
The 4 Nations Face-off will get underway Wednesday night time as Canada hosts Sweden on the Bell Centre in Montreal.
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