Nashville Predators coach Peter Laviolette believes his team’s extended break around the NHL All-Star Game should be good for the players’ health as they prepare to compete in their final 30 games of the regular season.NASHVILLE – The Nashville Predators are back at work, feeling a little healthier after an eight-day break around the All-Star Game and ready to put together all the pieces for the stretch run to the postseason.
The Predators practiced Thursday before catching a plane to Florida for a game Friday night against the Panthers to kick off their final 30 games of the regular season. They practiced without forward Austin Watson, who was suspended Tuesday indefinitely without pay as part of the NHL’s substance abuse program.
Center Kyle Turris has been on injured reserve since Jan. 1, but the Predators find themselves possibly as healthy as they’ve been in a couple months.
“The guys that were dinged up, it gives them a chance to even recuperate more and for their bodies to catch up,” coach Peter Laviolette said. “The guys that are still out of the lineup, that’s days that are spent where we’re not playing games and where they might be getting close to return.”
The 2018 Presidents Trophy winners returned to work Thursday with 64 points, two back of Winnipeg in the Central Division with the Jets having two games in hand over Nashville. The Predators, who topped the overall league standings early this season, currently are fifth overall with four Western Conference teams ahead of them: Calgary (71), Winnipeg and San Jose (65).