Kings' Drew Doughty Returns to Lineup After Preseason Ankle Injury

The veteran defenseman is set to make his season debut against the defending champion Florida Panthers after missing 47 games.

Drew Doughty, a two-time Stanley Cup champion and former Norris Trophy winner, will play his first game of the season following surgery for a fractured ankle sustained in September.
The 35-year-old defenseman was activated from injured reserve and will be paired with Jacob Moverare in the Kings' defensive lineup.
Doughty’s return comes as the Kings aim to improve their offensive struggles, having scored two or fewer goals in nine of their last 10 games.
Los Angeles, currently third in the Pacific Division, hopes Doughty will boost their power play and provide veteran leadership after losing six of their last eight games.
This marks Doughty’s 17th NHL season, during which he has tallied 669 career points across 1,177 games, maintaining elite performance levels even in recent years.