How Will Utah Handle Connor Ingram's Injury?

With Connor Ingram exiting the first period of Utah's 5-4 win against Washington due to an upper-body injury, there is no current timetable for his return.

After a receiving a high speed shot to his mask from Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin, there's no telling how serious Connor Ingram's injury is. 

“He’s hurt,” head coach Andre Tourigny said Feb. 9 after Utah's win over the Capitals.. “No, I don’t know what his status is at this point. He will be evaluated, but we’ll see.”

While Ingram was able to skate off the ice during the game, it’s unclear whether the injury is a concussion from the shot or a more serious issue caused by the impact of the mask itself, until an evaluation from Utah's medical team is announced.

If Ingram isn't ready to go, Utah will continue to rely on Karel Vejmelka, who started in place of Ingram earlier in the season when Ingram took an extended absence to grieve his mother's passing.

Utah may only be 13-15-4 when Vejmelka starts, but his .909 save percentage and 2.57 goals-against average have been strong enough to place him near the top 15 goalies in the league. 

While Ingram's 2.61 GAA and .905 Sv% since his return in January are currently better than Vejmelka's numbers over his last ten games (2.84 GAA and .895 Sv%), Utah has been able to rely heavily on Vejmelka all season. 

Though his recent stats aren't the most impressive, Vejmelka's play on the ice has been a big positive for Utah on most nights. His recent perfect shootout performance against the Capitals—where he entered the game for an injured Ingram— and his career-high 49-save performance in a 4-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes highlight just a few of the important moments he's had for Utah this season."

So in case Ingram's injury is on the more serious side, Utah knows it can continue to rely on Vejmelka. 

But with plenty of time and rest across the 4 Nations Break, Ingram could be ready to suit up as soon as Feb. 22 against the Los Angeles Kings, Utah's first game back from the break. 

What was your reaction to Ingram's injury last game? Did you get to see it? Let me know down below!