At a Glance
- Rodrigo Abols left Saturday’s game in the first period with a lower-body injury
- He could not put weight on his right leg after his foot was caught in an awkward spot along the boards
- The 30-year-old had eight points in his last 13 games and is penciled in for Latvia’s Olympic roster
- Why it matters: Philadelphia is already without four regulars, and losing a red-hot fourth-line center further thins the lineup
Rodrigo Abols exited in the first period of the Flyers’ matchup with the Rangers at Xfinity Mobile Arena and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest. The center’s right foot and ankle were caught in an awkward angle while he battled for a puck along the boards. He needed assistance from teammates Garnet Hathaway and Emil Andrae and could not place any weight on his right leg.
Injury Adds to Growing List
The Flyers entered the game missing four players:
- Dan Vladar – undisclosed
- Tyson Foerster – arm
- Bobby Brink – upper body
- Rasmus Ristolainen – upper body
Abols’ absence lengthens the infirmary report to five skaters and one goaltender.
Productive Streak Snapped
The 6-foot-4 Latvian had found a groove on the fourth line. In his previous 13 games he recorded:
- 2 goals
- 6 assists
- 8 total points
- Plus-4 rating
That stretch represented the most consistent offensive stretch of his brief NHL tenure.
Olympic Question
Abols is scheduled to represent Team Latvia at next month’s Olympics. His availability for that tournament is now uncertain, according to News Of Philadelphia‘s report.
Key Takeaways
- Abols’ lower-body injury looked severe as he was helped off without bearing weight
- Philadelphia’s forward depth, already tested by four other injuries, faces another setback
- The timing clouds both the Flyers’ short-term lineup plans and Abols’ Olympic participation
