Predators’ Luke Evangelista to return following 8-game absence due to lower-body injury

The Nashville Predators will see a boost to their lineup Friday versus the Buffalo Sabres as right winger Luke Evangelista is set to return following an eight-game absence due to a lower-body injury, reports Nick Kieser of Predators Radio Network.

Sidelined since early January, Evangelista has made 39 appearances this season in which he has registered four goals and 10 assists for 14 points. Joining the Predators full time a year ago, Evangelista finished with 39 points counting 16 goals and 23 assists through 80 contests. In all, the 22-year-old Toronto native has collected 27 goals and 41 assists for 68 points through 143 career contests.

Originally chosen 42nd overall by Nashville in the 2020 NHL Draft, Evangelista’s experience in the pro ranks also includes 49 career games with the Milwaukee Admirals, the Predators’ farm club. With the AHL squad, Evangelista neared point-per-game production in 2022-23 as he collected nine goals and 32 assists through 49 games to finish third in team scoring.

Per PuckPedia, Evangelista is in the final year of his three-year, entry-level contract and can become a restricted free agent in July.

A graduate of the OHL’s London Knights, Evangelista’s time in the junior circuit is highlighted by the 2021-22 campaign when he led all OHL skaters with 55 goals, part of a dominant campaign where as captain of the Knights he paced the squad with 111 points in 62 games. For his efforts, Evangelista was recognized as part of the OHL’s Second All-Star Team at year’s end.

For the Predators, the club enters Friday’s contest against the Sabres in the midst of a two-game losing skid. On the season, the Predators sit 18-24-7 and 14 points back of the Calgary Flames for the final wildcard position in the Western Conference. The Sabres and Predators will close out their season series February 8 in Tennessee.