Predators forward Matt Duchene suffered a hand injury after blocking a shot on March 26 against the Maple Leafs. The veteran forward exited the game and did not return, and he hasn't suited up since.
TNT analyst Darren Pang provided an update on Duchene on NHL on TNT—and it is pretty gruesome. Per Pang, Duchene lost part of his finger on the play. The injury, which the 32-year-old sustained on his left ring finger, was so severe that part of his finger tip reportedly remained in his glove when he removed it.
The Predators described Duchene as being "week-to-week" with a hand injury, but have not provided a further update on his status.
On @NHL_On_TNT Darren Pang reported that Matt Duchene said when he took his glove off after getting hit, the tip of his finger was still in the glove. 😳
— Alex Daugherty (@AlexDaugherty1) April 2, 2023
After getting in the way of teammate Dante Fabbro’s shot, Duchene could be seen hurriedly skating to the bench, visibly in pain, while holding out his hand. His glove was already removed by the time he reached the bench, and the training staff immediately looked concerned before following him into the locker room.
goes right to the locker room pic.twitter.com/E20ytdhHfh
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) March 26, 2023
Duchene featured in 71 games for the Predators this season, who seem destined to miss the playoffs amid a slew of injuries. In his fourth year in Nashville, the veteran forward registered 56 points, including a team-high 22 goals. It was still a disappointing campaign from Duchene, who had a career-high 43 goals in 2021–22.
With just seven games remaining on the schedule for the Predators—and a playoff bid unlikely—Duchene's gruesome finger injury could end up costing him the rest of the season.
