FanHome - View Single Post - GDT: Senators @ Predators - 12/14/2006

PredDave · December 14th, 2006, 09:59 AM

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The Nashville Predators are already one of the NHL's best home teams. Getting two of their best players back from injury would only make them better.

Nashville could have forwards Jason Arnott and Steve Sullivan in the lineup Thursday when it tries to continue its strong play at home in a matchup with the Ottawa Senators.

David Legwand scored with 2:45 left in regulation Tuesday, lifting the Predators to a 3-2 victory over Edmonton.

Nashville (19-8-3) entered the game having lost three of four on the road, but Legwand's goal helped the Predators earn at least one point in their 10th straight home game. They are 7-0-3 at the Gaylord Entertainment Center since a season-opening loss to Chicago, and are the only NHL team with only one regulation home loss.

"It was a good win for us," Nashville coach Barry Trotz said. "I was concerned about the first game back from a road trip. Sometimes emotionally you can be flat. I thought our guys showed some real good maturity as a group and responded really well."

Thursday could see the return of both Arnott and Sullivan, who have combined for 15 goals and 43 points. Arnott practiced Monday for the first time since undergoing knee surgery Nov. 22 and almost returned Tuesday.

"You want to get your legs back. You don't want to come back too early and hurt it again thinking you are all right," Arnott said.

Sullivan, who has missed the past two games with a groin injury, also practiced Monday and is very close to returning.

"It's always tough to take an injury but we had a lot of guys step in and do well," defenseman Shea Weber said. "And with (the injured) guys having a chance to come back, we are definitely happy."

Also absent from Nashville's lineup is starting goaltender Tomas Vokoun, who has missed three weeks with a hand injury. Backup Chris Mason has gone 5-3-1 in Vokoun's place, including a 38-save performance on Tuesday.

"He's been playing awesome for us," right wing Scott Hartnell said of Mason. "Steady as a rock in there, between the pipes. Tonight, when the game was on the line he was there to make some saves. There weren't many rebounds. He's just doing a solid job in net for us."

December 14th, 2006, 09:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
PredDave Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/preview;...gid=2006121427 Yahoo Preview The Nashville Predators are already one of the NHL's best home teams. Getting two of their best players back from injury would only make them better. Nashville could have forwards Jason Arnott and Steve Sullivan in the lineup Thursday when it tries to continue its strong play at home in a matchup with the Ottawa Senators. David Legwand scored with 2:45 left in regulation Tuesday, lifting the Predators to a 3-2 victory over Edmonton. Nashville (19-8-3) entered the game having lost three of four on the road, but Legwand's goal helped the Predators earn at least one point in their 10th straight home game. They are 7-0-3 at the Gaylord Entertainment Center since a season-opening loss to Chicago, and are the only NHL team with only one regulation home loss. "It was a good win for us," Nashville coach Barry Trotz said. "I was concerned about the first game back from a road trip. Sometimes emotionally you can be flat. I thought our guys showed some real good maturity as a group and responded really well." Thursday could see the return of both Arnott and Sullivan, who have combined for 15 goals and 43 points. Arnott practiced Monday for the first time since undergoing knee surgery Nov. 22 and almost returned Tuesday. "You want to get your legs back. You don't want to come back too early and hurt it again thinking you are all right," Arnott said. Sullivan, who has missed the past two games with a groin injury, also practiced Monday and is very close to returning. "It's always tough to take an injury but we had a lot of guys step in and do well," defenseman Shea Weber said. "And with (the injured) guys having a chance to come back, we are definitely happy." Also absent from Nashville's lineup is starting goaltender Tomas Vokoun, who has missed three weeks with a hand injury. Backup Chris Mason has gone 5-3-1 in Vokoun's place, including a 38-save performance on Tuesday. "He's been playing awesome for us," right wing Scott Hartnell said of Mason. "Steady as a rock in there, between the pipes. Tonight, when the game was on the line he was there to make some saves. There weren't many rebounds. He's just doing a solid job in net for us."