That sounds like a comedic new cast.
- Thorny87

hahaha

No Malkin or Hags

No Malkin or Hags
- MattStrat

I wouldn’t expect either back till games 2 or 3.

Well the swelling and pain might not occur right away so that is probably why he finished the game.
- Feds91Stammer

You're absolutely right.... my point being that even with Patients in my office that come in with sprains of any joint.... if there is any real instability in the joint (which is the definition of a sprain) you know that immediately.... you can't move.

Swelling and stiffness yes that's after activity has stopped.... but if he had any real instability at the MCL, I can't see how he came back to play the rest of that game as effectively as he did.

No Malkin or Hags
- MattStrat

Maybe a bit of gamesmanship?

Maybe a bit of gamesmanship?
- Thorny87

One can hope...but that's pretty wishful thinking, I think.

You're absolutely right.... my point being that even with Patients in my office that come in with sprains of any joint.... if there is any real instability in the joint (which is the definition of a sprain) you know that immediately.... you can't move.

Swelling and stiffness yes that's after activity has stopped.... but if he had any real instability at the MCL, I can't see how he came back to play the rest of that game as effectively as he did.
- Yonk1216

Doctor in the house?!

You're absolutely right.... my point being that even with Patients in my office that come in with sprains of any joint.... if there is any real instability in the joint (which is the definition of a sprain) you know that immediately.... you can't move.

Swelling and stiffness yes that's after activity has stopped.... but if he had any real instability at the MCL, I can't see how he came back to play the rest of that game as effectively as he did.
- Yonk1216

So we both agree with both Geno and Coots that if indeed these were MCL injuries they were grade 1 tears at worst?

Maybe a bit of gamesmanship?
- Thorny87

The only part of the gamesmanship is calling all players a game-time-decision. Realistically they're going to keep Geno out as long as they can afford to. Game 1 IMO has been a foregone conclusion from the beginning. They will see how the team squares up without him.

Again, if I had to guess, my gut tells me we don't see Geno until they return to Pittsburgh.

Maybe a bit of gamesmanship?
- Thorny87

After seeing interviews the past couple days. Guys keep referring to figuring out how to play with out haha and Malkin.

I know I saw at least 2 players say this.

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Coach Sullivan: “Malkin will make the trip with the team to Washington, Hagelin will not. Neither will play in Game 1."

This says to me Malkin really is on a day-to-day status and may make an appearance for Game 2, but my gut tells me if they win Game 1 they will hold him out for Game 2.

[quote=Rinosaur]
Gives a bit of hope that Malkin is close-ish.

This says to me Malkin really is on a day-to-day status and may make an appearance for Game 2, but my gut tells me if they win Game 1 they will hold him out for Game 2.
- Rinosaur

I really thought it'd be the other way around with Hags making the trip. He skated before the team today too.

I really thought it'd be the other way around with Hags making the trip. He skated before the team today too.
- Thorny87

He must have some really bad concussion symptoms.

He must have some really bad concussion symptoms.
- Rinosaur

Not that bad if hes at the arena with all the people there, lights and what not.

He must have some really bad concussion symptoms.
- Rinosaur

Perhaps after the skate? He wouldn't have gone out if he's had them earlier. Tough break

No Malkin and Hags evens out that the Caps actually play Orpik.

Perhaps after the skate? He wouldn't have gone out if he's had them earlier. Tough break
- Thorny87

The thing is a headache is a concussion symptom. So Hags failed the base line and any little headache since could be considered a symptom even if its not related. If his concussion was that bad he wouldn't of been skating today.

The thing is a headache is a concussion symptom. So Hags failed the base line and any little headache since could be considered a symptom even if its not related. If his concussion was that bad he wouldn't of been skating today.
- MattStrat

That's what I meant. It'd have to have been after the skate that he experienced symptoms. They wouldn't have let him near the rink if he had a headache/symptoms before hand.

That's what I meant. It'd have to have been after the skate that he experienced symptoms. They wouldn't have let him near the rink if he had a headache/symptoms before hand.
- Thorny87

Im pretty sure, but not certain, that flying with a concussion is a no no. So if they think he has one, no matter the severity, they probably wouldnt let him travel.

So we both agree with both Geno and Coots that if indeed these were MCL injuries they were grade 1 tears at worst?
- Feds91Stammer

Not necessarily

This is where sifting through what the injured party calls something important....

Post game Coots said he had an "MCL tear".... based on grading that means it's either a grade 2 which is a partial thickness tear or grade 3 which is a total tear........ again we have to assume he's using the right terminology

If Geno suffered a grade 2 injury.... and played the rest of the game with it... and cannot play now... IMO that's pretty damning for the medical staff.... a tear of that grade should be able to be felt on exam.... so one of 3 conclusions IMO.

1. Geno lied to get back out there and he is way more injured than anyone thinks and will miss extensive time.

2. It's not a bad injury at all and they want to give it maximum healing time... like I said earlier.. had we needed a game 7 I bet he would have played.... if they win game 1 I wouldn't be shocked to see him held out game 2.

3. It is gamesmanship and he will play tomorrow.

Good info.... https://radiopaedia.org/a...l-ligament-injury-grading

Not necessarily

This is where sifting through what the injured party calls something important....

Post game Coots said he had an "MCL tear".... based on grading that means it's either a grade 2 which is a partial thickness tear or grade 3 which is a total tear........ again we have to assume he's using the right terminology

If Geno suffered a grade 2 injury.... and played the rest of the game with it... and cannot play now... IMO that's pretty damning for the medical staff.... a tear of that grade should be able to be felt on exam.... so one of 3 conclusions IMO.

1. Geno lied to get back out there and he is way more injured than anyone thinks and will miss extensive time.

2. It's not a bad injury at all and they want to give it maximum healing time... like I said earlier.. had we needed a game 7 I bet he would have played.... if they win game 1 I wouldn't be shocked to see him held out game 2.

3. It is gamesmanship and he will play tomorrow.

Good info.... https://radiopaedia.org/a...l-ligament-injury-grading
- Yonk1216

So here is my take on Geno's injury:
1. The mechanism of injury looks more like a hyperextension of the knee. An MCL injury is caused by force to the outside of the knee causing the knee to bend/buckle inward (right to left). The way Geno fell his knee appeared to bend backward (front to back). I can tell you from experience that if coots or geno had a grade 2 or 3 tear they would not be able to walk very well let alone skate because you can't pivot or push off without buckling. Joe Thorton had a partial MCL tear and he has been out since January. Grade 1 strain/small tear with a brace and some injections...you could do it. McAvoy had a grade 1 sprain and was given a 1 month timeline. Coots said his timeline was 1 month, so I'm thinking he was grade 1 as well.
2. I am currently recovering from MCL surgery done by the Pens team doc (grade 3 MCL and POL tears aka posteromedial corner injury) Working in medicine myself, he is the only doc I would go to for anything ortho related in Pittsburgh. If Geno had an MCL injury he would be in a brace without a doubt because of the instability aka "buckling" that goes along with the injury as well as the compression the brace provides. Now if he is choosing not to wear it....that is a different story.
3. I saw the doc yesterday and got the feeling from him Geno would be back shortly. When I asked about Haggy he hinted it is going to be awhile. I actually saw geno on the ice today, so that is a good sign