Montour Leaves Kraken-Lightning Game With Lower-Body Injury
Seattle defenseman Brandon Montour exited Thursday’s matchup in Tampa with a lower-body issue and was ruled out for the rest of the game. The Kraken fell 4-3 in overtime after Victor Hedman scored early in the extra period. Montour, who leads Seattle in average ice time, had five assists in seven games before the injury, and the team has not announced a recovery timeline.
Seattle said only that Montour’s lower-body injury ended his night in Tampa; no cause or timeline was provided. His final shift included a clumsy-looking spill near the blue line, and the Kraken broadcast said he had briefly left the bench earlier. A report pointed to an early second-period trip by Nikita Kucherov, but neither the team nor telecast confirmed it.
Before Thursday, Montour had five assists in seven games and led Seattle in average ice time at just over 24 and a half minutes. The 32-year-old is in the third season of a seven-year, $50 million deal. Seattle, 5-2-0, finishes its five-game road trip Saturday in Florida, making his status the immediate question.
Montour’s absence could affect Seattle’s defensive workload and fan interest in the short term, especially with a road trip ending Saturday. Teammates may face heavier minutes, while supporters and fantasy players could see altered expectations. If the injury lingers, the Kraken’s early-season momentum may be tested, though the team has not provided a timeline.