Nashville Predators: Forsberg’s injury could mean missing major time
By Jake Evans
Forsberg’s 325 consecutive game streak is over. The Nashville Predators’ winger went down Friday night in Minnesota with a mysterious “upper-body injury”.
Friday night in Minnesota, Predators winger Filip Forsberg was injured with 8:40 to go in the 3rd period. He left the game and would not return, due to a mysterious upper-body injury.
In hockey, fans are often left with questions as to what is happening to players, since injuries as usually simply referred to as upper or lower body problems. Forsberg’s injury was listed as just an upper body injury, but since the replay of his last shift isn’t definitive, fans are puzzled as to what happened to Nashville’s leading scorer.
Forsberg was placed on injured reserve on Saturday, meaning he must sit out at least a week. Doing so, he missed Saturday’s game, and will have to miss two more this week. He can return on Saturday night in Los Angeles.
Forsberg’s Success
Since coming to Nashville full-time in 2014, Forsberg played in 325 consecutive games. He was one of nine NHL players to appear in all of his team’s regular season games since the start of the 2014-2015 season, until Saturday.
In those 325 games, Forsberg has tallied 245 points, making him Nashville’s leading scorer two of the last three seasons. He is also leading all Predators in scoring this season with 15 goals and 19 assists through 37 games.
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This season, Forsberg has continued his success and is becoming one of the most dangerous wingers in the NHL. He has fantastic puck control, and a laser shot with precision accuracy.
Forsberg has been the cornerstone of Nashville’s offense since 2014 and will need to keep up his elite play if the Predators want to make another run at the Stanley Cup.
Forsberg’s Injury/Timetable
Recently, Predators coach Peter Laviolette addressed the injury to his star winger and said,
"“We don’t want to lose a guy like [Forsberg] because he’s so important to our team, but it does present an opportunity.I guess it’s a cliché more than anything, but it’s the truth of the matter too.”"
As said, Forsberg will be required to sit out until at least Saturday, meaning he will miss the highly touted rematch with the Las Vegas Golden Knights tonight.
There were few details about the specifics of the injury; however, the Instagram story of Kevin Fiala‘s girlfriend from New Year’s Eve looked to shed some light for fans.
Forsberg was seen with a heavily bandaged right hand. However, he was playing knee hockey, so let’s hope that means that his hand isn’t hurt too badly.
Via @jessicaljung on Instagram
The initial timetable for Forsberg’s return was listed at 2-6 weeks.
For the sake of everyone in Nashville, I hope its way closer to 2 weeks than 6 weeks. Although Nashville’s offense can suffice without him, it sure runs a lot better with #9 out there.
Next: December Awards for Predators
Let’s all hope that it’s just a few cuts and bruises and that nothing is broken or torn. The Predators hit the road tonight for a 3 game trip out west, before coming home for a 5 game stand.