Predators’ Michael McCarron ejected following hit on Blues’ Pavel Buchnevich

Nashville Predators right winger Michael McCarron was ejected from Tuesday’s tilt versus the Central Division rival St. Louis Blues following a hit on Blues left winger Pavel Buchnevich.

The incident occurred at the 6:12 mark of the second period with McCarron later assessed five minutes for interference and a game misconduct. McCarron was also penalized five minutes for fighting Blues left winger Jake Neighbours in response to the hit. Buchnevich headed to the Blues’ dressing room following the hit.

On the season, McCarron has made 58 appearances with the Predators in which he has tallied four goals and six assists coupled with a team-leading 68 penalty minutes. Originally chosen 25th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2013 NHL Draft, McCarron has totaled 286 career contests with the Canadiens and Predators in which he has recorded 27 goals and 31 assists for 58 points. Through 70 games with the Predators in 2023-24, the 30-year-old native of Grosse Pointe, Mich., recorded career highs in all major categories including 12 goals, 10 assists, 22 points, and 100 penalty minutes.

In April 2021, McCarron was suspended two games following an illegal check to the head of Tampa Bay Lightning center Yanni Gourde. McCarron has also twice been fined by the NHL Department of Player Safety.

For Buchnevich, through 66 appearances with the Blues this season, the 29-year-old Russian-born forward has collected 14 goals and 33 assists to sit fourth in team scoring with 47 points. A third-round selection by the New York Rangers in the 2013 NHL Draft, Buchnevich has seen 583 career contests with the Rangers and Blues in which he has registered 176 goals and 272 assists for 448 points.

Entering Tuesday’s contest, the Blues were just outside of the second wildcard seed in the Western Conference due to the games played tie breaker, while the Predators sat 15 points back of the Blues.