The Struggle Is Over For Milan Michalek – Knee Scoped Today

Milan Michalek tried to play through his most recent knee injury, but it was not to be.  Now, more than a month after first tweaking it, the Senators leading goal scorer from last season will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his knee in New York.

Jan 27, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Paul Martin (7) takes the puck away from Ottawa Senators forward Milan Michalek (9) during the second period at Scotiabank Place. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

The Senators are hopeful that he will be back for the playoffs, which will begin in roughly 40 days.

There will be a lot of second-guessing about him not undergoing surgery right away to make sure he is healthy.  I will not be one of them, because I understand the desire to get back into the lineup to help a struggling team would have clouded the judgement.  If the setback had not happened and he did make it through the season as he tried, it would have obviously been different.  The team has done ok without him, and will continue to do so, until he returns, hopefully in time for the first round.