The Nashville Predators practiced at Centennial Sportsplex on Tuesday just as they did on Monday, splitting the hour-long session over both ice rinks at the facility. The mood, however, was different as the players were antsy for game action.
“We need to get started here,” defenseman
Ryan Suter said. “A lot of time spent on meeting and video. You just want to play as a player.”
The best-of-seven Western Conference Quarterfinal series against the Detroit Red Wings opens 7 p.m. Wednesday night at Bridgestone Arena.
“The guys are ready,” head coach Barry Trotz confirmed. “If we had another day of practice, they’d be out of sorts. I’m glad we’re playing tomorrow.”
While
Alexander Radulov,
Brandon Yip and
Anders Lindback rejoined the team after missing Monday’s group practice session, defenseman
Hal Gill did not. According to Trotz, Gill skated earlier in the day and is suffering from a lower-body injury. “He’ll be just a game time [decision] tomorrow,” Trotz said. “We thought with his injury, no sense trying to aggravate it any more. We’ll know in the morning.”
After practice, defenseman
Francis Bouillon removed his helmet at his locker room stall to reveal a new Mohawk haircut. He now matches his defense partner,
Kevin Klein, who has had the hairstyle for since late February.
The team used three goaltenders again Tuesday, with
Pekka Rinne,
Anders Lindback and
Jeremy Smith taking turns between the pipes.
Tuesday’s lines:
White jerseys –
Mike Fisher centering
Sergei Kostitsyn and
Martin Erat
Silver jerseys –
David Legwand centering
Andrei Kostitsyn and
Alexander Radulov
Gold jerseys –
Nick Spaling centering
Gabriel Bourque and
Patric Hornqvist
Green jerseys –
Paul Gaustad centering
Matt Halischuk and
Craig Smith
Light blue jerseys –
Colin Wilson centering
Brandon Yip and
Jordin Tootoo
Power play units:
Mike Fisher,
Martin Erat,
Patric Hornqvist,
Ryan Suter,
Shea Weber
-AND-
David Legwand,
Alexander Radulov,
Andrei Kostitsyn,
Sergei Kostitsyn and
Roman Josi
