Predators' Ellis out 4-6 weeks with upper-body injury

Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis will miss four-to-six weeks with an upper-body injury, the team announced Tuesday.

Additionally, forward Luke Kunin is out for two-to-four weeks with a lower-body injury, and Ryan Johansen was placed on the NHL's COVID-19 list.

Losing Ellis is significant for the Predators as he's one of the league's premiere blue-liners and ranks second on the club in average ice time, logging nearly 25 minutes per game.

Nashville sits sixth in the Central Division with 20 points through 21 games, leaving the club eight points back of a playoff spot.