PITTSBURGH — Ottawa Senators forward Milan Michalek will miss the rest of the NHL playoffs because of a torn knee ligament that will require surgery.
The Senators already were without another of their top six forwards. Alex Kovalev also has a torn knee ligament, and defenseman Filip Kuba has an injured back.
Michalek had been playing with a brace to protect the partially torn ligament in his left knee. Senators general manager Bryan Murray says the ligament was completely torn during the Senators' 5-4 victory over Pittsburgh on Wednesday night. Michalek needs an operation and won't return until next season.
Michalek will be replaced by Ryan Shannon, who is healthy but has been held out of the lineup lately.