Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann’s return from injury was short-lived.
The Kraken announced Friday that their all-time scoring leader will be out for the next three weeks with a lower-body injury, dealing another blow to an already challenged Seattle offense.
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McCann’s injury appears to stem from a collision in Wednesday night’s overtime victory over the Los Angeles Kings that ultimately helped Seattle pull out a comeback.
With the Kraken on the attack looking to tie the game in the final minute of regulation, McCann positioned himself near the Kings’ net and fell awkwardly when his left leg was swept out from behind by Los Angeles goaltender Anton Forsberg, who was attempting to scurry back in front of the net. McCann left the ice without help but did not return to the game.
Forsberg was called for a tripping penalty and Matty Beniers scored the tying goal on a power play with just 26 seconds left to force overtime in an eventual 3-2 Kraken win.
Wednesday’s game was McCann’s sixth since returning from a lower-body injury that kept him out for the previous 17 contests. He has five goals and three assists while playing in just 11 of Seattle’s 28 games this season.
McCann’s 251 points and 123 goals scored since joining Seattle during its inaugural season in 2021-22 are the most in franchise history. He also set Kraken single-season records with 40 goals and 70 points during the 2022-23 campaign.
Seattle is also currently without center center Jaden Schwartz (lower body) and forward Berkly Catton (upper body), who are both on injured reserve. Schwartz, who led the team with 15 points at the time of his injury, is expected to be out at least four more weeks.
The Kraken are 12-10-6 and in sixth place in the Pacific Division with 30 points. They face the Utah Mammoth on the road Friday at 6 p.m.
Wednesday: Beniers, Dunn deliver as Seattle Kraken end 5-game skid
