Los Angeles Kings veteran defenseman Drew Doughty sustained a fractured left ankle during a preseason game versus the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday, Daily Faceoff reported.

Doughty was scheduled to undergo additional imaging on Thursday to determine if there is other structural damage. The team had not announced specifics of Doughty's lower-body injury as of Thursday evening.

While Doughty could be out for an extended period, Kings coach Jim Hiller said Thursday that the team will handle it.

"I think we've got a lot of good energy going," Hiller said. "If Drew's out for some length of time, I think that's going to be easier to absorb just because of how excited the players are right now. You don't replace him, you know that, but I think guys feel like we've got a good team. And if this is something we have to deal with, we just deal with it."

Doughty was injured following a collision along the boards with Golden Knights forward Tanner Pearson during the first period of the Kings' 3-2 victory. Doughty had to be helped off the ice by defenseman Mikey Anderson and a trainer.

Kings captain Anze Kopitar was not part of the traveling roster in Las Vegas and watched a video of the collision.

"I saw a replay of it, and it's probably worse on the replay than when it happened live," Kopitar said.

Doughty, 34, was in a protective boot and used a knee scooter at the team's facility.

He recorded 50 points (15 goals, 35 assists) and averaged 25:48 of ice time while playing in all 82 games last season.

A former Norris Trophy recipient as the NHL's top defenseman, Doughty has collected 669 points (156 goals, 513 assists) in 1,177 career games since being selected by the Kings with the second overall pick of the 2008 NHL Draft. He is a two-time Stanley Cup winner and four-time All-Star with Los Angeles.

--Field Level Media