Wednesday evening, Nashville and St. Louis opened their second-round series at Scottrade Center. The Predators beat the late-surging Blues 4-3, but lost one of their most productive forwards in the postseason.
Early in the second period, Kevin Fiala was stretchered off the ice after falling hard into the boards with Blues’ defenseman Robert Bortuzzo. Thursday, it was announced that Fiala fractured his left femur, underwent successful surgery, and will miss the rest of the playoffs.
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The scary play happened after Fiala was challenged by Bortuzzo while entering the Predators’ offensive zone. The two crashed into the boards, but Fiala’s leg folded awkwardly in the collision.
Fiala was in obvious pain and was tended to by the Predators medical staff before being stretchered off the ice.
“During last night’s game, Kevin Fiala sustained a fracture of his left femur,” GM David Poile said in a release. “He underwent successful surgery at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis and is resting comfortably. He is extremely disappointed that he will not be able to help his teammates in their quest for the Stanley Cup, but is looking forward to starting his rehabilitation upon his return to Nashville. The Predators organization would like to thank the St. Louis Blues Medical Team, especially Head Trainer Ray Barile, Drs. Rick Wright and William Ricci, as well as the nurses and personnel at the Barnes-Jewish Hospital for their outstanding care.”
Fiala, who has played parts of the last three years in Nashville and their AHL affiliate Milwaukee Admirals, had his best season yet as a Predator. Fiala tallied career highs in games (54), goals (11), and points (16). In five postseason games for the Preds, Fiala scored twice, ranking second on the team.
#Preds Kevin Fiala has sustained a fracture of his left femur and is out for the remainder of the playoffs. https://t.co/AXMM023kw6
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) April 27, 2017
Photo: Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images
