By Tom Keppeler, Knee1 StaffMontreal Canadiens left wing Martin Rucinsky left the active player list Tuesday, highlighting a string of bad luck for the beleaguered team.
Rucinsky's exit comes just one game after the return of team captain Saku Koivu in a season that has landed the Canadiens in last place, with the worst record in the National Hockey League, according to SportsTicker.
Koivu missed 28 games due to a tear in his medial collateral ligament. Rucinsky's sprain will keep him out at least two months, Ticker reported.
A strain occurs when a ligament is partially torn. Aside from being painful, a strain may require surgical repair. Rucinsky, in his sixth season with the Canadiens, has a long recovery ahead of him.
Straining a ligament is common among football and hockey players, and is often accompanied by a popping sound and swelling. If a strain is suspected, it should be treated immediately with Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation (RICE). The patient should also contact a doctor immediately.
