Knee Surgery For Driedger

During the third period of the gold medal game at the recent International Ice Hockey Federation Men's World Championships, Kraken goalie Chris Driedger and Team Canada were up 1-0 against host nation Finland. Driedger, in net for Canada's three previous games to reach the final, had made 17 saves against a Finnish squad populated by a multitude of NHL-tested players.
The 18th shot on goal proved elusive for Driedger and Team Canada defensemen who weren't covering the far side of the net while the Kraken goalie squared to a shot from the right point that went wide and caromed right to the stick of Mikael Granlund, who plays his NHL hockey for Nashville. Driedger tracked the play and lunged right to make the save, reacting quicker than his teammates. But he couldn't stop the puck.

The goal came at 4 minutes 13 seconds of the third period to tie the game at 1-1 and ended Driedger's successful run for Team Canada (.915 save percentages, 1.76 goals-against average in six games). Driedger's effort resulted in a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee.

Driedger underwent a successful surgery to repair the torn right ACL Monday. His recovery and rehab program is expected to be seven to nine months.
It is the second Kraken veteran player to undergo knee surgery for a torn right ACL. Forward Brandon Tanev underwent a similar procedure Dec. 30 after a collision with an Edmonton Oilers defenseman earlier in the month. Tanev's rehab is going well and he is expected to be ready for the 2022-23 season.
Driedger was one of five Kraken players participating for their home nations at the tournament. Fellow goalie Philipp Grubauer was solid in net for Germany, while Team USA forward Karson Kuhlman scored two goals and added an assist and Team Canada forward Morgan Geekie scored a goal. Defenseman Adam Larsson led Sweden in time on ice.
For fans new to the World Championships tournament, it is common for NHL players to be invited to play for their countries once their regular seasons and/or playoff rounds are over. Twenty-two NHLer or players signed with NHL teams (some with American Hockey League teams or still NCAA-eligible) participated for Canada, plus 21 for USA, 12 for Sweden and six each for Germany and Finland.