Some news and notes from today's practice:

- Defenseman Teemu Laakso was recalled this morning and joined the team on-ice. Defenseman Kevin Klein will be a game time decision tonight. If Klein cannot go, Laakso will take his place on a pairing with Jonathon Blum.


- Preds Assistant GM Paul Fenton, the team's General Manager for the Milwaukee Admirals, talked about Laakso's play:
"Teemu has played extremely well about the last third of the season -- especially from a defensive standpoint and a physical standpoint. He is quietly physical, hard on guys. Our coaches in Milwaukee have been highly complimentary about his play night-in and night-out and the way he goes about his business. Teemu had been paired with Jon Blum for most of the season, as the top pairing down there. They have a good rapport on the ice; stylistically they compliment each other well. Jon has more of an offensive flair and sense; Teemu has a very sound defensive game."


- Coach Trotz talked this morning about the dangers of a first home game after an extended road trip; said across the league that first home game back can sometimes be a "trap game" ... something he and the team talked about at length in this morning's meetings.


- Coach Trotz said this closing stretch will be a lot about attitude and short-term memory. The team needs to focus on its games and not look at the results from other games; the Preds need to take care of their own business and win their points. "We need to be a points collector every night -- two points here, one point there -- and then figure things out from there."