Pekka Rinne Injury: Updates on Predators Star's Lower Body and Return

Pekka Rinne left the Predators' 5-1 victory over the Canucks on Jan. 13 with what the team described as a lower body injury. Rinne will return to the lineup vs. the Ducks.

Continue for updates.

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Rinne to Start Thursday vs. Ducks

Wednesday, Feb. 4

Audra Martin of WKRN in Nashville reported Rinne would return Thursday vs. Anaheim.

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Rinne Injury Ruled Knee Sprain

Thursday, Jan. 15

Thomas Willis of Predators.NHL.com reported the latest diagnosis on Pekka Rinne:

Earlier, the Predators released a statement on the team website updating goaltender Rinne's condition:

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During the third period of the Nashville Predators 5-1 victory on Tuesday night, goaltender Pekka Rinne sustained a sprained knee which will cause him to miss the next three games and All-Star Weekend, the club announced Thursday. Rinne’s status will be re-evaluated and updated after the NHL All-Star Break.

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Rinne Injures Lower Body

Tuesday, Jan. 13

Nashville Predators star goaltender Pekka Rinne exited the ice during Tuesday's 5-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks with a lower body injury.

Eric Stromgren of The Tennessean reported the news:

The Predators provided an update after the game:

Dhiren Mahlban of ProHockeyTalk.com relayed video of the third-period collision involving Canucks left winger Chris Higgins that resulted in Rinne getting hurt:

ProHockeyTalk.com's Mike Halford provided his take on the potential implications of Rinne's absence, should it be for an extended period of time:

Rinne has been instrumental in leading Nashville to the top of the Western Conference, entering Tuesday with a 28-6-2 record and a 1.98 GAA.

It will be up to Carter Hutton to fill in between the pipes until Rinne is fit enough to return.