Predators' Ryan O'Reilly exits game with cut near eye

A very scary scene on Tuesday night as Nashville Predators forward Ryan O'Reilly had to leave the game after being cut near his eye.

The Predators were playing the Columbus Blue Jackets Tuesday night and O'Reilly was struck near his left eye with a stick, very close to be severely harmful. The Preds forward was hit with Charlie Coyle's errant stick off a faceoff midway through the third period, and he did not return. 

"For those who are concerned about Ryan O'Reilly, we expect that he is going to be OK," the team said in a statement, per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. "He is flying home with the team from Columbus tonight and will be evaluated by our medical team in Nashville. We expect to have an update on his playing status sometime Thursday."

The 35-year-old O'Reilly is having a huge season with the Predators, and is one of only four players left in the NHL who don't wear a visor, as the NHL grandfathered visors back in 2013, only making them mandatory for new players.

O'Reilly's been involved in trade talks the last two weeks, and although he doesn't have trade protection on his contract, Predators management and O'Reilly have an agreement in place that the team will only trade him to a place he's comfortable moving his family.

Through 61 games this season, 'The Factor' has recorded 22 goals, 37 assists for 59 points.

Photo credit:  Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images