Golden Knights' Lehner set to undergo season-ending surgery

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, the team confirmed Monday.

The 30-year-old sustained the injury Feb. 9. Vegas had initially hoped that rest and rehab would allow him to finish the season, adding that Lehner had attempted to battle through the ailment.

Lehner told the organization last Thursday that he'd be getting the procedure, and the team doctor agreed Saturday that surgery was the best choice, according to ESPN's Emily Kaplan. The Golden Knights reportedly asked Lehner to delay the operation and dress as the backup for Sunday's contest due to cap reasons.

Reports surfaced that Lehner would undergo campaign-ending surgery earlier this week, and there was speculation he was playing through a significant knee injury sustained in March. Golden Knights head coach Peter DeBoer sidestepped the rumors Friday and said he expected Lehner to be available for Sunday's game.

The Swedish native struggled through an injury-riddled 2021-22 campaign: Lehner missed five games in February with an upper-body ailment, returned for four contests, then landed on the sidelines with a lower-body issue that kept him out of an additional 12 matchups. He also took to Twitter to deny reports that he'd fractured his kneecap in March.

His last appearance came April 20, against the Washington Capitals. He allowed one goal on 13 shots in the first period, but Logan Thompson replaced him for the remainder of the contest.

Lehner logged a .907 save percentage and a 2.83 goals against average across 44 appearances this season.

Goaltender Jiri Patera was recalled from the team's AHL affiliate in a corresponding move.

Vegas is in a dogfight to make the playoffs. It has three games left on its regular-season schedule and sits three points back of the Dallas Stars for the last Western Conference wild-card spot.

The Golden Knights take on the Stars on Tuesday night.

With Laurent Brossoit still on the shelf due to injury, Vegas will have to turn to Thompson. The 25-year-old authored a serviceable .917 save percentage in 16 showings this campaign.