NASHVILLE -- Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne cant wait to test himself in a game. Sean Smith Jersey . 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." Rodney Hudson Jersey .com) - The Vancouver Canucks hope an upcoming stretch of home games will be enough to get the club into the postseason. David Sharpe Jersey . Sijsling, ranked 74th in the world, was leading 6-0, 4-1 when his Italian opponent called it quits after just 39 minutes on court. In a match pitting together two qualifiers, Michal Przysiezny of Poland defeated local favourite Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (4) for only his second Tour win of the season. http://www.shoptheraidersonline.com/Elite-Clive-Walford-Raiders-Jersey/ .com) - The Columbus Blue Jackets rewarded starting goaltender and pending restricted free agent Sergei Bobrovsky with a four-year contract extension on Friday.INDIANAPOLIS -- Jeff Teague scored 25 points in the Atlanta Hawks 107-88 rout Sunday of the reeling Indiana Pacers, who were held to a franchise-low 23 points in the first half of an embarrassing performance on their home floor. The Hawks (34-42) have won three of four and extended their lead over the Knicks for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference to two full games. The Pacers (53-25) have lost four of five and fell a full game behind Miami in their quest for the No. 1 seed in the East. Paul George scored 18 points and David West had 17 on a night All-Star centre Roy Hibbert did not play the final 30 minutes. Atlanta jumped to a 9-0 lead, extended the margin to 33-11 after one and 55-23 at the half. The Pacers couldnt get closer than 13 in the second half. The Hawks appear back on track at just the right time. They knocked down 12 3-pointers, shot 56 per cent from the field against the leagues best defence and ended a three-game losing streak at Indiana. But for the Pacers, things are falling apart fast. Since beating Miami on March 26 to take a three-game lead in the conference standings, they have given away the conference lead. After a sixth straight road loss Friday night at Toronto, strong wind gusts pushed a baggage ccart into the team plane, creating a hole that forced Indiana to stick around even longer and cancel Saturdays scheduled practice. Marquette King Jersey. The Pacers sure couldve used it. Indiana missed its first seven shots, coach Frank Vogel benched his entire starting lineup with 6:05 left in the first quarter, and things continued to crumble. The Hawks scored the final five points of the first quarter to take a 33-11 lead that brought out boos. Mike Scott and Shelvin Mack then hit back-to-back 3-pointers to give Atlanta a 45-15 lead with 8:39 left in the second quarter. It was the fewest first-half points Indiana ever scored in its NBA history, four fewer than they had against the Clippers on Nov. 10, 2004. Frustrated players shook their heads, and frustrated fans serenaded the Pacers with boos as they left the court. With Hibbert on the bench to open the third quarter, Indiana finally showed some spark. After giving up another 3 to Pero Antic, Indiana used an 11-2 run to get within 60-34 and an 11-0 spurt got Indiana as close as 75-59 late in the third. 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