Sean Monahan playing hurt?

[automaton 3]

As others mentioned, he played 20:08

His skating looks ok, but he does looks like he is missing a bit of zip, maybe due to sickness? Gaudreau apparently sat out the Jets game because he wasn't feeling well so wonder if it is the same.

[FBI]

There was one setup from Johnny that I thought Monahan would have normally scored on 90% of the time. So I was wondering if his shot was a little off as well..

[AC]

He actually played well considering I thought. He had a couple good shots and as the game went on made much better decisions with the puck, mainly just give it to Hudler or Johnny and get open.

He had a low, hard shot that rebounded out to Wideman that could have easily resulted in a goal.

[JJ1532]

Here's the thing for me. Hartley clearly knows that Monahan is banged up, whether its from general wear and tear, an injury, illness, whatever. But I would bet my life that if he was concerned about Monahans game last night or spotted what a number of here supposedly spotted, Sean wouldn't have played the most minutes for forwards on the team, nor been put on PK duty either.

Come on people, it was one iffy game, perhaps we are reading too much into it?

[AcGold]

100% something is up. His face offs give it away, he started 0/8 and looked like he couldn't stand and he fell on his face.

Usually Monahan turns his body 45 degrees and chops the puck backwards while he's sideways but he looked unable to stand upright multuple times. When he's face planting on face offs something is up.

[automaton 3]

Originally Posted by cracher

Going off memory which, during playoffs, may not be at its best. In the LA post-game interview, Hartley referenced paying a "high price" in winning the clinching game. He did not specify what that price way.

Hmmm. If I had to guess, it's either him or Hudler. Neither looked quite right.

Regehr took some liberties on Hudler. Still mystified there was no penalty.

[Wastedyouth]

Originally Posted by AcGold

100% something is up. His face offs give it away, he started 0/8 and looked like he couldn't stand and he fell on his face.

Usually Monahan turns his body 45 degrees and chops the puck backwards while he's sideways but he looked unable to stand upright multuple times. When he's face planting on face offs something is up.

Totally. I bet he was drunk.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by JohnnyTitan

At one point I noticed Mony and Backlund were killing a penalty. The Gaudreau one I think. At that point I concluded that there's nothing physically wrong with him and his skating must be fine or otherwise Hartley wouldn't be putting him in that situation.

Hoping it's illness because he did seem to lack some energy. It's overshadowed by Bennett and Ferland, but it was also Sean's first playoff game and he was for sure being keyed on.

I remember that too... we have enough guys that can play the PK, makes me think its not a injury.

[Five-hole]

Let's hope Robyn "Cross-Check Supreme" Regehr had nothing to do with it. #$@&head.

[flamesfever]

I noticed Monahan gives his head a quick shake, once in a while, on the bench. Hopefully it's only a short term problem.

[The Big Chill]

One thing I think we tend to forget is that Monahan is a 20 yr old player playing in his first playoff series. I don't doubt that he is banged up or sick or whatever, but its also quite possible that he is just adjusting to the pace of the playoffs, and to being the primary focus of the opposition.

Its easy to assume that Monahan will just jump right in and be successful right away because that is what he has done his entire career so far, but its not unreasonable at all for the kid to have a slightly off game here and there.

The best part about all this is that despite Monahan having an "off game", he wasn't that bad at all. His defensive work was as good as ever and he was a big part of our win.

[hummdeedoo]

I thought for a playoff game Mony would be more physically involved - so I'm a little concerned it's more than illness. Hope to be wrong.

[Cheese]

I think hes got a broken leg...he seemed slower, but hes a monster out there so no issue playing 20 minutes a night.

[Wastedyouth]

I heard they amputated both his arms.

[Flash Walken]

Based on watching him last night it looks like a left shoulder (bottom hand on the stick) that is giving him trouble.

He pumps that arm while skating but periodically pulls it into his body.

Would explain problems he was having with faceoffs and with his shot.

[Rick M.]

He seemed to get better as the game went on, something which normally doesn't happen with a significant injury. Maybe he wasn't sharp early due to not practicing?

[Hack&Lube]

I did notice a couple plays with Gaudreau that Monahan would have normally capitalized on. What do you guys think about resting him and replacing Monahan with Bennett as 1st line C?

[Joe Nieuwendyk]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

I heard they amputated both his arms.

I don't think so. If you pause the game at 3:45 into the third period you can clearly see he has both arms.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

I did notice a couple plays with Gaudreau that Monahan would have normally capitalized on. What do you guys think about resting him and replacing Monahan with Bennett as 1st line C?

No. Bennett is good as a scoring, driving winger right now. Monahan has defensive responsibilities you don't give Bennett right now.

Anyway, there are almost always plays in a game where Gaudreau passes to Monahan or Hudler and you think they should capitalize but they don't.

I don't think there's anything seriously wrong with Monahan, and looking at head shakes or being tripped on faceoffs doesn't do much for me. He played top line minutes, shut down the Sedins pretty well (especially later), had a few good chances. Minus one because of a really fluky goal. Until Hartley cuts his time or changes the matchups, I tend to think he's at most a bit banged up or under the weather.

[AcGold]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

No. Bennett is good as a scoring, driving winger right now. Monahan has defensive responsibilities you don't give Bennett right now.

Anyway, there are almost always plays in a game where Gaudreau passes to Monahan or Hudler and you think they should capitalize but they don't.

I don't think there's anything seriously wrong with Monahan, and looking at head shakes or being tripped on faceoffs doesn't do much for me. He played top line minutes, shut down the Sedins pretty well (especially later), had a few good chances. Minus one because of a really fluky goal. Until Hartley cuts his time or changes the matchups, I tend to think he's at most a bit banged up or under the weather.

He lost 8 of 8 faceoffs, didn't get tripped, he fell onto his face and couldn't stand upright under his own strength. That's way more than a bit banged up, he went from best player on the team to a liability. That doesn't just happen randomly.