After watching from the pressbox the last few weeks, Nashville Predators forward Colin Wilson will finally get some playoff action in tonight's Game 4 against Vancouver, filling in for Steve Sullivan, who has been termed "doubtful" for the rest of the series with a lower-body injury suffered late in Game 3. Finally, the legions of "Free Willy" fans will have their prayers answered.
It was interesting to hear Barry Trotz at today's press conference talk about how Wilson perhaps didn't accept his scratching during the Anaheim series in a particularly mature manner. There have been second-hand rumblings for quite a while that Wilson's focus and professionalism haven't been where they need to be, and you can bet that Trotz won't let that slide as the pressure builds in the post-season.
In place of Sullivan, Wilson's size & strength could help make an impact up front, where the Preds have had difficulty establishing extended possession in the offensive end. In 5-on-5 play he's been one of the team's top goal-scorers, and will need to bring an energetic, yet focused effort against a Canucks team that can certainly take advantage of a glaring defensive gaffe.
The question, of course, is where exactly Willy will get his chance tonight. Is it simply on the fourth line with Blake Geoffrion and Matt Halischuk, getting 8-10 minutes of ice time? Or perhaps a higher-profile assignment? When I asked him about possible changes with the Kostitsyn/Fisher/Hornqvist line, Trotz's response was that they need to adapt to the situation they're being presented with, rather than hinting at any line juggling.
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