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Short-handed Predators lose captain Roman Josi, as Nashville's run with injuries continues well into March

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Nashville Predators' injury bug now has hit captain Roman Josi, who is week to week with an upper-body injury after being placed on the injured reserve list.

The Predators announced the update on their defenseman Tuesday shortly before their 3-2 overtime loss at Carolina.

Josi took a high stick from Denis Gurianov Dallas 2:46 into the third period that drew blood on Josi's face. Josi stayed in the game and scored the winning goal Sunday night in a 4-3 shootout victory in Dallas.

Josi becomes the fourth Nashville player on injured reserve within the past week. Nashville put defenseman Ryan Ellis on the list for up to six weeks with an upper-body injury on March 2, the same day the Predators put forward Luke Kunin on it for two to four weeks with a lower-body injury.

Goalie Juuse Saros was put on injured reserve March 4 with an upper-body injury, then forward Matt Duchene went on it March 6 with a lower-body injury that is expected to sideline the veteran center for three to five weeks.

The Predators also recalled forwards Mathieu Olivier and Rem Pitlick and defenseman Jeremy Davies from the taxi squad.

Long before the injury run, Nashville had been struggling on the ice. Against Carolina, Matt Benning and Ryan Johansen scored for Nashville, but the Predators allowed the next three goals in their fourth loss in the last five games. They have only three points in that span, and sit in sixth place in the Central Division.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.