Report: Predators’ Neal sick, but not the mumps

Nashville Predators center Mike Fisher, center, and James Neal (18) celebrate after Fisher scored a goal against the Boston Bruins. (Mark Zaleski/AP)

Just a few days after being fined $2,000 for diving, Nashville Predators forward James Neal will reportedly be out of the lineup Saturday night against the Minnesota Wild.

According to Eric Stromgren, a Predators beat writer, Neal isn’t with the team in St. Paul, Minn. due to an illness, but does not have the mumps.

Eric Stromgren on Twitter

Eric Stromgren on Twitter

More NHL on Sportsnet:
Subscribe: Rogers GameCentre Live
 Rogers Hometown Hockey | Broadcast Schedule
Sportsnet Fantasy Hockey Pool

Neal was fined on Wednesday by the NHL Department of Player Safety for embellishment in a game last week against the San Jose Sharks. It was set to be the left-winger’s first game since the penalty.

The 27-year-old has 11 goals and eight assists in 30 games so far this season for Nashville.

It is the first of five times the Predators and Wild will play each other this season.

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.