Shea Weber is that little drop of rain that falls during time of joy. As the Nashville Predators head to Chicago with their Stanley Cup playoff series at 1-1, they left a major weapon at home.
Weber, owner of the NHL's hardest slap shot, their captain and their anchor defenseman, will miss Games 3 and 4 against the Blackhawks. When he will play next is unknown.
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Already without key forward Mike Fisher, the Preds now face two games against the 'Hawks in a hostile environment at a disadvantage.
The official word: "lower-body injury." Weber left unable to put weight on his right leg.
Here's the hit that caused it.
And here's Preds coach Peter Laviolette talking about it.
Fisher is day-to-day but will be in Chicago in hope of getting into action. But the knee or ankle or whatever injury to Weber hurts.
Looking for a silver lining? The Predators responded to Weber's injury by winning 6-2. But their Game 1 loss cost the Preds home-ice advantage in their Western Conference series.
No team wants to give the Blackhawks any advantage. It's up to the Predators to lock down without their anchor.
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