Source: Juuse Saros has high ankle sprain; could be out four to six weeks

A league source with contact close to the Nashville Predators has told A to Z Sports that Juuse Saros suffered a high ankle sprain in the team's loss to the Calgary Flames on Tuesday.

The source added that the typical timetable for this injury is four to six weeks.

The injury likely occurred late in the 3rd period against the Flames during this moment:

The league source confirmed this is likely when the injured occurred for Saros.

Juuse Saros left the game with the Preds up 4-3 and was replaced by backup David Rittich. The Flames would eventually tie the game with 0.1 seconds left and then win in overtime 5-4.

On Wednesday, the Preds called up Connor Ingram to replace Juuse Saros in the lineup. They also indicated he would miss at least two games, the game against Colorado tonight and the season finale against Arizona on Friday.

Based on the source, it would seem Saros could be out longer than that.

Thursday morning, John Hynes said he was "hopeful" that Saros could be back and indicated he would need time to rest. High ankle sprains, according to the Orthopedic Journal of Sports Medicine, typically result in an average of 45 missed days (roughly six weeks), though many players return after only 22 days (about three weeks).

Depending on the severity of Juuse Saros' injury, he could be out anywhere from three to six weeks.

It's important to point out that hockey players are known for pushing through injury to play, especially in the playoffs. If Saros' sprain is relatively mild, he could come back in as soon as two weeks, sometime in mid-May. If it's more severe, he could be out as long as six weeks, or mid-June.

Either way, the Preds are not likely to have their ace goaltender for their first round matchup against either the Calgary Flames or the Colorado Avalanche. And potentially longer than that.

The first round of the NHL playoffs is set to begin next week. Schedules have not yet been announced.

-- Featured image via Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports --