Nikolas Matinpalo's status is the big question for the Senators after Anthony Mantha's hit in New Jersey, and Dr. Harjas Grewal has offered an early medical read.
Grewal's main concern is a separated shoulder, which he says is often week-to-week but depends on the type. That could cost Ottawa a steady defenceman for a stretch.
A separated shoulder means the ligaments holding the collarbone to the shoulder blade have been stretched or torn. Milder versions heal with rest, while severe ones take much longer.
Grewal also said the same kind of hit can cause a broken collarbone, though he called that less likely. A fracture would usually mean a longer absence.
Then there's the concussion question. Grewal said that's possible too, and concussions are the hardest injuries to put a timeline on.
Mantha was handed a five-minute major for boarding on the play, in a game the Senators went on to win 4-1.
Senators wait on Matinpalo as Player Safety weighs the Mantha hit
Nothing has been confirmed by Ottawa yet. Until the team speaks, Grewal's read is the clearest picture fans have.
The 28-year-old carries an $875,000 cap hit and has a +2 through six games. On a team rolling at 5-1-0, losing a reliable depth defenceman still hurts.
Mantha, 32, has no points and a -2 for the Devils. If Matinpalo misses time, the boarding major could turn into a suspension.
Ottawa should take the cautious route here. A shoulder that isn't fully healed, or a concussion that gets rushed, can turn a few weeks into a lost season.
Rushing a shoulder back is like driving on a spare tire built for 50 miles. It works fine, right up until it doesn't.
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The Senators host St. Louis on Tuesday, while the Devils visit Detroit.
Week-to-week is the best case Grewal laid out. The Senators will be hoping the official update lands right there, and nowhere worse.
Should the Senators hold Nikolas Matinpalo out until he's fully healed?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Boarding major may lead to NHL's longest suspension of the season yet
