Predators' Fiala hospitalized after hard fall into boards

Nashville Predators forward Kevin Fiala left Wednesday's Game 1 against the St. Louis Blues on a stretcher after falling hard into the boards following a hit by Robert Bortuzzo.

Fiala, who was alert and in stable condition, was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation, according to Predators spokesman Brooks Bratten.

The game was delayed several minutes while arena officials waited for another ambulance to arrive.

Predators head coach Peter Laviolette had no update on Fiala's condition postgame, according to NHL.com's Arpon Basu.

The 20-year-old winger scored twice in Nashville's first-round sweep of the Chicago Blackhawks.