Predators lose Fiala to broken left leg

Predators winger Kevin Fiala is out for the season after crashing into the boards in the second period ofWednesday night’s Game 1 victory over the Blues.

Fiala fractured his left femur, had surgery in St. Louis and is “resting comfortably,” general managerDavid Poile said.

The play happened early in the second period. Fialawas being checked byBlues defensemanRobert Bortuzzowhen his left leg slammed into the end boards.

“That’s a tough loss, there’s no question,” Predators captain Mike Fisher said. “He’s played really, really well so far in the playoffs and is a big part of our team. To lose a guy like that is definitely tough. Glad he’s doingOK.”

Said coach Peter Laviolette: “Nobody wants to lose a player like that. He’s a terrific young player. Hewas getting to a point where he reallywas a difference-maker with the puck on his stick.”

No penalty was called, and face further discipline. Bortuzzo is not expected to

Notsospecial teams: TheBlues willbe trying torampup their special teams Friday in Game 2 against the Predators.

The Predators went 2-for-3 on the power play and outshot the Blues 13-1 with the man advantage in their Game 1 win. The Blues held a 29-19 five-on-five shots edge.

“Penalties killed us,” winger Ryan Reaves said Thursday. “We’ve obviously got to eliminate penalties. Playoff hockey, teams are going to make you pay.”

The Blues have allowed four power-play goals in their last two games while scoring just one in six playoff games.

Oilers show grit: For the first 45 minutes of their second-round series openerWednesday, the Oilers showed they could match the Ducks in a tight-checking, lowscoring grind of a game. And when it got wild and frantic in the final minutes, the upstart Oilers showed they could hang with the best in that sort of game too.

DefensemanAdamLarsson scored his second goal of the thirdperiod with4minutes, 40seconds to play as the Oilers beat the Ducks 5-3 for a 1-0 series lead.

Mark Letestu scored two power-play goals and Cam Talbot made 33 saves as the Oilers seized home-ice advantage fromthe Ducks with a four-goal final period.

Leon Draisaitl had two third-period assists and an empty-net goal for the Oilers, whodon’t appear to be feeling an ounce of intimidation in their first playoff appearance since 2006.

“At times our maturity has been underestimated,” Letestu said. “This group has been through a lot this year, and it’s starting to show.”

Game 2 is Friday night in Anaheim. News services