The Nashville Predators have battled hard to get their first-round series even versus the Dallas Stars. However, they have paid the high price for that as they will be without Wayne Simmonds and Brian Boyle for an extended period of time. Both Boyle and Simmonds played in Game 1 last Wednesday. Brian Boyle was a late scratch on Saturday heading to Game 2, while Simmonds left the game after blocking the shot. Both players are week-to-week with their respective injuries.
#Preds announce Wayne Simmonds is week-to-week with a lower-body injury. Brian Boyle had an appendix procedure and is week-to-week as well.
— y – Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) 15. apríla 2019
Wayne Simmonds And Brian Boyle Out For Nashville Predators
This is a tough break for the Nashville Predators. Wayne Simmonds came to Nashville on the trade deadline from the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers received forward Ryan Hartman and a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2020. If the Predators win a playoff round, the Flyers get a third-round pick. However, it hasn’t been all so ideal for Simmonds with the Preds. In his 17 games in the regular season, the 30-year-old winger recorded just one goal and two assists for three points.
Simmonds left the game on Saturday after blocking a shot from his own teammate Roman Josi. The puck hit him in his knee as left the ice in pain. Simmonds finished the night with just 1:22 of ice-time. He is officially out week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
Ouch. Wayne Simmonds limps to the dressing room after taking a Roman Josi slap shot to the knee. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/cbXQfklHYg
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) 13. apríla 2019
Brian Boyle was another trade acquisition by the Predators, as they sent their second-round draft pick to the New Jersey Devils for him. In his 27 regular season games in Nashville, the 34-year-old veteran forward collected five goals. In Game 1 last week, Boyle had an assist. He underwent the procedure on his appendix and is out week-to-week.
What Does That Mean For The Future
With Boyle out of Game 2, the Preds turned to forward Rocco Grimaldi on Saturday. Grimaldi has definitely been one of the best players for the Predators as he tied the game in the second period. He will skate on a line with Calle Jarnkrok, who had two assists in Game 2 victory for Nashville. Miikka Salomaki will take Simmonds´ place in the lineup. The Finnish forward will play alongside Jarnkrok and Grimaldi. That will be Salomaki’s first game since January 4.
With the series tied at one apiece, the Preds move on to face the Dallas Stars on the road. They will hope to win at least one of their road games at American Airlines Center before returning home for Game 5. It will be tougher without experienced players like Wayne Simmonds or Brian Boyle, who might possibly miss the rest of the playoffs.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
