ronto won for just the second time in six outings with a 2-1 shootou

NASHVILLE -- Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne cant wait to test himself in a game. The Predators, who announced Wednesday that they are sending Rinne to their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee, are cautiously waiting to see if the two-time Vezina Trophy finalist can help them chase down a playoff berth. Both Rinne and the team will have a better idea of where he is after the conditioning assignment for games Friday and likely Sunday in this latest step in his recovery from an E. coli infection in his surgically repaired left hip. Rinne has been limited to only nine games this season. Coach Barry Trotz said the Predators will be monitoring Rinne after each practice and game. "Hes at a point where weve got to find out where he is game-wise and also body and mind," Trotz said of Rinne. The Predators start a five-game home stand Thursday night hosting Tampa Bay just four points back of the Western Conferences eighth and final playoff spot with 23 games remaining. They missed the playoffs last year for only the second time in nine seasons. How quickly Rinne rejoins them depends on how he fares in Milwaukee. Rinne practiced with the Predators on Wednesday before travelling to Milwaukee, and he called this a big day with doctors giving him the green light for the latest step in his long recovery. He has been sidelined since Oct. 24 for an infection in the hip surgically repaired May 9, and Rinne said hes focusing on getting his game back and help the Predators. "So far I feel really comfortable," Rinne said. "Im happy how things have gone in practice and how things have gone so far. I think Im actually a little bit surprised its been going so well. But like I said, its still a process but for sure I feel like Im really close to game shape and now its just a final couple of games before I jump on the ice with the Nashville team." Rinne, 31, is sixth in the NHL with 152 wins since the 2008-09 season and has 30 shutouts since 2008-09, which leads all goalies during that time. He hasnt played since Oct. 22 in a 2-0 loss at Minnesota. He is 4-4-1 with a 2.31 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. The Predators have played four other goalies this season trying to make up for Rinnes absence. Currently, Carter Hutton is their starter, and he is 13-9-4 with a .904 save percentage and 2.87 goals-against average. Trotz said what theyve been missing without Rinne is a game-changer who can mean the difference in as many as 20 points in the standings each season. "Hes an elite goaltender and steals games maybe when you dont deserve it," Trotz said. "He can steal points." Trotz said theyre not sure what theyll see from Rinne. "Its not about Pekka coming back and being a saviour," Trotz said. "I think its Pekka coming back and adding to our mix. And if he can get his game to the level close to what hes capable of, were a better hockey team plain and simple. To me, its about Pekka for hopefully the next five or six years. Hes a difference maker." Captain Shea Weber, who practiced with the Predators on Wednesday after helping Canada win the Olympic gold medal Sunday in Sochi, said the Predators are definitely excited about the prospect of Rinne returning to the lineup as they try to chase down a playoff spot. "Weve been through a lot this year and to see what position we put ourselves in here four points out coming in its not going to be easy by any means," Weber said. "If anyone can do it, we can." David Clyde Rangers Jersey . FIFA said in a statement Friday that "several racist and discriminatory incidents were apparently perpetrated by local supporters during the match, in particular by displaying neo-Nazi banners and by making monkey noises and gestures as well as Nazi salutes. Nate Jones Rangers Jersey . 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Gaylord Perry Rangers Jersey .ca/CurlingSkins - with the Top 16 curlers earning a ticket to Banff, Alta. to compete in the TRAVELERS ALL-STAR CURLING SKINS GAME Presented by Pintys, running Jan.TORONTO - A preview of the upcoming Winter Classic is on tap Saturday night in Toronto, as the Maple Leafs host the Detroit Red Wings at Air Canada Centre. Saturdays tilt is the first of four scheduled meetings between the Red Wings and Leafs this season. The next encounter will be staged outdoors, as Detroit is set to host this years Winter Classic on Jan. 1 at Michigan Stadium. Before battling in front of 100,000 or so people, however, these two Original Six rivals will get together for tonights clash in Toronto, where the Red Wings have lost four straight games since last beating the Leafs on the road on Nov. 16, 2002. Toronto has taken four of five overall from the Red Wings, who are now playing in the same division as the Maple Leafs thanks to the onset of realignment. Detroit moved from the Western Conference to the East prior to this season and joined Toronto in the Atlantic Division. The Red Wings hope to stay on the right track tonight after halting a six-game losing streak in their last trip to the ice. Detroit stopped the 0-4-2 slide with Thursdays 3-2 overtime win over Calgary, as the Wings salvaged the final test of four-game homestand. Daniel Alfredsson scored his second goal of the game just 63 seconds into overtime to help the Red Wings defeat the Flames and record their first win since a road victory over New Jersey on Dec. 6. The Red Wings got a power play when Calgary defenseman TJ Brodie was whistled for hooking with 42 seconds left in regulation. On the ensuing power play, Pavel Datsyuk fed Alfredsson for a one-timer in the slot and the veteran buried a shot past Karri Ramo. "Were hanging in games and were playing some good hockey, and then all of a sudden, we have some lapses where we give the other team way too many chances," said Alfredsson. "We did that at times (tonight) too, but we grinded throughout the whole time, 60 minutes, and obviously Pavels play there at the end of regulation to draw the penalty turns out to be huge." Jonas Gustavsson made 20 saves for the Red Wings, who avoided their sixth consecutive loss on home ice.dddddddddddd. Detroit is playing three of its next four games on the road before hosting the Winter Classic and has a solid 10-3-3 away record this season. With regular No. 1 goaltender Jimmy Howard still out with a knee injury. Gustavsson expects to start tonight against his former team. It would mark the goaltenders first appearance against the Leafs since he joined Detroit as a free agent in the summer of 2012. In addition to Howard, forwards Henrik Zetterberg, Justin Abdelkader, Darren Helm and Johan Franzen will miss tonights game due to various injuries. However, Red Wings defenseman Danny DeKeyser is expected to return to the lineup Saturday after missing the last 15 games with a separated left shoulder. The Maple Leafs also will try for a second straight win on Saturday after halting a two-game slide of their own on Thursday. James Reimer will get the start in goal tonight. Toronto won for just the second time in six outings with a 2-1 shootout win against the visiting Phoenix Coyotes. James van Riemsdyk and Joffrey Lupul both scored in the shootout on Thursday to help the Maple Leafs pick up two points. Van Riemsdyk slipped the puck through Mike Smiths five-hole on the backhand. Smith flew back into the net and did not allow the referees to see where the puck went. After a review, the goal was deemed to be good. Mikkel Boedker then beat James Reimer on a backhand shot, but two Toronto shooters later, Lupul lit the lamp after faking the shot and wristing the puck over the shoulder of Smith. Troy Bodie netted Torontos lone goal in regulation. Cody Franson and Peter Holland picked up the assists on the score and Reimer turned aside 34 shots for the win. "Youre always looking for someone to step up for you. Obviously our goaltending has been strong for us. Tonight was another example of James Reimer stepping up. Were very fortunate to have him," said Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle. Toronto is capping a three-game homestand tonight and is 12-8-0 as the host this season. ' ' '