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Predators’ Kevin Fiala stretchered off ice in Game 1 vs. St. Louis Blues

By Nic Hendrickson

Apr 6, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Nashville Predators center Kevin Fiala (56) skates against the Dallas Stars during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Predators defeat the Stars 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Nashville Predators center Kevin Fiala (56) skates against the Dallas Stars during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Predators defeat the Stars 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nashville Predators Kevin Fiala stretchered off ice in Game 1 against St. Louis Blues

Nashville Predators young forward Kevin Fiala was stretchered off the ice in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Second Round against the St. Louis Blues. Fiala was skating to the boards behind the St. Louis goal when he lost an edge. On top of losing an edge he was being forced into an aggressive hit by Blue defenseman Robert Bortuzzo.

Fiala was driving towards the St. Louis net with the puck on his stick, with Bortuzzo forcing him away. Fiala lost an edge on his left skate, and was then forced into the boards by the extra force of the hit by Bertuzzo.

Fiala hit the boards knee-first with his left leg bent backwards along the surface of the ice. It was instantly obvious that this was a serious injury, as Fiala made no attempt to get up and Bortuzzo almost immediately skated away from Fiala.

The game was stopped to bring out a stretcher, and Fiala was loaded into an ambulance to be taken to the nearest hospital. Game 1 was delayed until the arrival of a new ambulance, as is regulations for the NHL.

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This comes as a major blow to the Nashville Predators, as Fiala was an offensive bright spot for the Predators depth forwards during both the regular season and the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Fiala, the 11th pick of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, had two goals in the four-game sweep in the first round against the Chicago Blackhawks. Fiala also had 11 goals and five assists in 54 games played during the 2016-17 NHL regular season. Fiala also had a 3.51 Rel.CF% (Relative Corsi-For Percentage) on the season, good for fifth on the Predators roster.

The severity of the injury is currently unknown. Stay tuned for updates as they come.

Analytics courtesy of Corsica.hockey

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