What Happened
The Philadelphia Flyers announced Monday that defenceman Rasmus Ristolainen is expected to miss approximately two weeks after re-aggravating a left hand injury. The 31-year-old had already sat out nine games with the ailment before returning Saturday against the Anaheim Ducks, logging 14:34 in a 5-4 loss. Head coach Rick Tocchet said Ristolainen re-injured the hand during that game.
Key Details
- Ristolainen is out approximately two weeks with a re-aggravated left hand injury.
- He missed nine games with the injury before returning Saturday.
- He played 14:34 in the 5-4 loss to Anaheim.
- Tocchet said the hand was re-injured in Saturday's game.
- Ristolainen has one goal in four appearances this season.
- Philadelphia is 3-7-3 and hosts Columbus on Tuesday.
What It Means
The Flyers lose a veteran right-side defenceman again after getting him back for just one game, thinning a blue line that is off to a 3-7-3 start. Ristolainen's limited four-game sample this season makes his absence another early-season obstacle for Philadelphia rather than a major statistical loss.
What's Next
Philadelphia returns to action Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, with Ristolainen expected to remain out for roughly two weeks.