Luke Evangelista Injury Update: Predators Forward Out 4 Weeks

After suffering a lower-body injury in Tuesday night's 5-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, Nashville Predators forward Luke Evangelista will miss roughly four weeks, according to head coach Andrew Brunette.

Evangelista, 22, played 4:02 in the loss against the Jets, exiting the game in the first period before trying to return in the second period. Evangelista did not play in the game again after that and the Predators had ruled him out from a return a short time later.

The Toronto, Ont., native appeared to suffer his injury after absorbing a hit from Jets defenseman Neal Pionk, whose knee made incidental contact with the inside of Evangelista's left leg against the boards. Pionk was not penalized for the hit, and Evangelista was slow to get up but did not appear to be in a great deal of pain at the time.

At the end of the day, though, the Predators are now set to be without the promising sophomore forward for up to a month.

Before the injury, Evangelista had recorded four goals, 10 assists, and 14 points in 39 games and is riding a six-game pointless streak.

Other Predators injury updates

In addition to the Evangelista injury update, Brunette also provided some clarity on other ailing Predators players.

Steven Stamkos, who was also injured against the Jets and did not return, was absent from practice on Thursday for maintenance. Jonathan Marchessault, who was a surprise absentee on Thursday, was also out for maintenance, according to Brunette.

Forward Cole Smith, currently on injured reserve, is still on the same timeline (4-6 weeks) as he was two weeks ago, so his return is slowly but surely approaching.

Last but certainly not least, defensemen Jeremy Lauzon and Adam Wilsby remain on injured reserve and will be out week-to-week.

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