In a tough night for Finnish hockey players in the NHL, Joel Armia and Joel Kiviranta both suffered injuries that forced them to leave their respective games early. Armia, who recently participated in an excellent Olympic tournament, played for only about five minutes in a match against the Edmonton Oilers and exited due to an upper body injury. Meanwhile, Kiviranta, representing the Colorado Avalanche, was injured in a collision with Minnesota Wild defenseman Zach Bogosian and was unable to continue in the game. Both players' injuries are being closely monitored by their teams.

The match in question saw the Edmonton Oilers dominate the Los Angeles Kings, with a final score of 8-1, highlighting the Kings' struggles not only in terms of performance but also due to the injuries sustained by their players. Drew Doughty, a key defender for the Kings, also sustained an injury during the game. The Kings are facing mounting challenges with injuries at a critical point in the season, as they strive to maintain their competitive edge.

Kiviranta's situation is particularly concerning as he had previously missed games earlier in the season due to lower body issues. In a post-game interview, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar expressed optimism but remained cautious, indicating that they would assess Kiviranta’s condition further the following morning. The health of these players is crucial not only for their teams but also for the national team's preparation for future events like the Olympics, as both athletes have proven to be vital components in international competitions for Finland.