NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Predators forward Martin Erat isn't traveling to Anaheim for Game 5, and coach Barry Trotz blames a late hit by Ducks forward Jarkko Ruutu being looked at by the NHL.
Erat was hurt in the upper body after being hit during Wednesday's 6-3 loss that tied the series at 2-2.
Trotz ripped into the Ducks after Thursday's practice.
The coach says the Ducks are whining and complaining of being targeted. But Trotz says the Ducks had a player suspended with Bobby Ryan sitting out Games 3 and 4. He says the hit by Ruutu, a "five-minute player" took out a good player for Nashville.
Erat tied for a team-high with 50 points in the regular season, and he had three points in this series after having four teeth knocked out in Game 2.
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