The Nashville Predators got some good news today, as NHL.com and Smashville 24/7 are both reporting that Ryan Suter will return to the lineup tonight against Columbus.
Predators defenseman Ryan Suter will return to the lineup tonight when his team hosts the Columbus Blue Jackets, securing his ability to play in the 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game.
Suter, who ranks third in the League in average time on ice at 26:30, missed the last three games with an upper-body injury, potentially jeopardizing his ability to play in his first All-Star Game. However, that issue seems to have resolved itself.
The Predators went 3-1 without Suter in the lineup, including the game against the Islanders that he left early.
The also news comes at just the right time, because it looks like Francis Bouillon will miss tonight's game. He left Saturday's game against Chicago with an upper-body injury and is currently considered day-to-day.
Defenseman Francis Bouillon, who left Saturday's game against Chicago with an upper-body injury, skated this morning after most of the team had left the ice. Trotz, who said Bouillon's injury was "nothing serious" on Saturday, said the veteran defenseman is "day-to-day."
"It feels good, but it sucks that I'm going to be out tonight," [Bouillon] said. "It's never fun when you're not playing, but I feel good skating."
Expect Suter to slide into Bouillon's spot on the top pairing alongside Weber, with Josi and Klein playing together on the second pairing, and Hillen and Ellis rounding out the defensive corps.