Filppula Playing Hurt?

[Aussie_Wing 354]

I get the feeling he’s playing under duress. He was out towards the end of the regular season but returned a few games before the playoffs. He then got injured in the dying stages of Game 4 against Colorado after finding some form; he had 4 points in as many games. That injury has really seemed to set him back.

And this just before Game 5 of the Dallas series, as reported in the Freep:

WHERE'S FILPPULA? Forward Valtteri Filppula didn't practice Friday; he also didn't speak to reporters. A team spokesman said Filppula was not injured and was just given a day off to rest.

I’m assuming that he is playing hurt, and that’s probably why he’s not producing as much as he and the team would liked. So before anyone is overly crucial of him and his play (too late now), I think it’s safe to assume that he is playing with pain and it’s being managed as best as possible. When the playoffs are over we might hear more about his injuries.

[StevieY9802 6]

He is playing hurt that is known. How bad it is we won't know until this series is over.

[Heaton 1]

Filppula hasn't practiced in weeks.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Filppula hasn't practiced in weeks.

More proof that he must be pretty banged up right now.

[sixer 37]

More proof that he must be pretty banged up right now.

Absolutely!

[redwingslady87 130]

mlive

Filppula is bothered by a sore knee

[ThreeRiversFan 0]

By this point in the season...I dont believe anyone is 100%

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I hope the injury is bad, because I'd hate to think that we're stuck with a guy that plays this bad when he's healthy in such huge games.

I'd like to think that he's better than this.