The Preds skated for close to an hour at Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday morning before heading out to Anaheim to open the playoff series. Thoughts and observations from today's practice...

 - Full team skated again today; same line combinations as yesterday.

 - Another fast paced, heavy skating session on-ice with lots of two-on-one and three-on-two drills and heavy emphasis on breakouts.

 - Pekka Rinne talked about how preparation changes during the playoff:
"Now we know for sure who we are playing against for the next few games here. We can focus a little bit deeper into everything; what kind of players they have and what systems they run. It's a little bit easier focusing. It's such an exciting time. You're excited no matter what.

- Rinne also talked about what he can draw from last year's playoff experience.
"It changed a lot, momentum wise. I think it was a good learning experience; you have to be able to put everthing behind you. You can't look back after wins or losses. You just have to focus on the task at hand and try to either maintain momentum or get it back; that's the key thing."

- Nick Spaling talked about what he learned from last year's playoff experience:
"It defintiely helps; it helped me recognize the level that I need to bring my game up to. Everybody steps up another level in the playoffs. The playoffs are a different game and you have to be able to elevate your game further to be successfull.

- Spaling talked about nerves in the playoffs:
"You're always excited and nervous to start the playoffs; the NHL playoffs are an exciting time. I'm getting pretty geared up for Game 1.