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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." Cheap MLB Jerseys Authentic . You can watch coverage on TSN, TSN2 and CTV beginning today at 3pm et/Noon pt. The championships will feature approximately 250 of Canadas best figure skaters in senior, junior and novice as they vie for spots on the national team, international assignments and will act as the final step in the 2014 Olympic qualification process. Orlando Cepeda Jersey . With newly minted president of hockey operations Trevor Linden looking on from above one day after being handed the keys to the franchise, it was more of the same on Thursday night. http://www.cheapbravesjerseys.com/?tag=c...n-smoltz-jersey. Edmonton opened the season with 14 straight victories before falling Friday night 10-8 to the host Colorado Mammoth in National Lacrosse League action. Deion Sanders Jersey . However, Therrien added that Galchenyuks status for next Wednesdays game against the Detroit Red Wings is questionable. Galchenyuk has been out since Jan. 6 with a broken right hand. Julio Teheran Jersey . Canada will host the second stop on the circuit, the 2014 Skate Canada International in Kelowna, British Columbia from October 31 - November 2, 2014 at Prospera Place.MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Mike Conley knew how important it was for the Memphis Grizzlies to start the second half aggressively against the depleted New York Knicks.After injury-ravaged New York stayed close in the first half, and even took a brief lead, the Grizzlies pulled away and handed the Knicks yet another loss.Conley scored 14 of his game-high 22 points in the third quarter, and the Grizzlies beat New York 105-83 on Monday night, sending the Knicks to their record-tying 12th straight defeat.It was very important we didnt come out and ease into the (third) quarter, Conley said. We really took it upon ourselves to come out and play team defence and play aggressive defence.Tony Allen forced four of his game-high seven steals in the quarter to pace the defence, which forced nine turnovers in the period.Tony got going with all those steals, and that always sparks us a little bit, Conley said. Guys were also making shots on the offensive end and we were getting layups.The Grizzlies led by 11 at the half and pulled away in the third quarter behind Courtney Lee and Conley.Lee scored all 11 of his points in the first seven minutes of the frame. Conley made both of his 3-pointers in the period, and the Grizzlies built a 22-point lead entering the fourth.The Knicks (5-32), who have the NBAs worst winning percentage, lost for the 22nd time in 23 games.Reserve forward Quincy Acy led the Knicks with 19 points, and Jose Calderon added 13.New York played without injured starters Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire. The Knicks were also missing J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert, who were sent to the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of a three-team trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder.Knicks coach Derek Fisher said the trade created a difficult pregame environment and even more challenges during the game.We had to make some adjustments in terms of things we could do offensively and defensively, Fisher said. You saw us play some zone, which we hadnt done before.In some spurts it was effective, but overall, the nine guys that went out there, I thought they were trying their best. Memphis was the better team.The Cavaliers sent reserves Lou Amundson and Alex Kirk and their 2019 second-round pick to the Knicks, who are desperate to clear salary-cap space.New York also received forward Lance Thomas from Oklahoma City.Fisher called it a strange pregame setting.I can honestly say Im not sure Ive ever experienced it as a player where youre right before tipoff and a teammate is not right there with you, he said.The deal forced gguard Tim Hardaway Jr.dddddddddddd to play small forward. He finished with 12 points on 4-of-14 shooting.Its tough, he said of the trade. But you still have to go out there and give it your all and compete.Allen and Marc Gasol added 14 points apiece for the Grizzlies, who rested their starters for most of the final period.Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger said he found out about the trade about 12 minutes before tipoff, and adjusted his lineup and the matchups accordingly.The Knicks fell behind by 12 in the first quarter, but recovered to take leads of 27-26 and 29-26 midway through the second after successive baskets by Calderon.Calderons 3-pointer gave the Knicks their first lead, and he followed with a 20-foot jumper on the next possession.The Grizzlies recovered in the final six minutes of the quarter. Vince Carter sparked a 21-7 run, starting with a 3-pointer to tie it 29-29. He closed the spurt with a 3-pointer to give the Grizzlies a 47-36 lead at halftime.Tayshaun Prince had eight points in between, including six straight before Carters finishing 3.New York shot 33 per cent in the first half, including 26 per cent in the opening quarter. The Knicks finished at 43 per cent.Memphis shot 45 per cent in the first half and 52 per cent for the game.TIP-INS:Knicks: New Yorks starting lineup consisted of Jason Smith, Cole Aldrich, Calderon, Shane Larkin and Hardaway Jr. ... Anthony (sore left knee) missed his third straight game. Stoudemire (knee soreness) sat out his fifth in a row. ... The losing streak is the Knicks longest since the 1984-85 season.Grizzlies: Rookie forward Jarnell Stokes made his first career start in place of injured Zach Randolph and scored three points. Randolph missed his eighth straight game due to a sore right knee. Jon Leuer had been starting in place of Randolph. ... Memphis is 19-1 when outshooting its opponent. ... The Grizzlies (25-9) are off to the best start in franchise history.PIVOTAL MOMENT:Allen forced a steal midway through the third quarter and drove the length of the court for an emphatic dunk. He was fouled and made the free throw to give the Grizzlies a 68-51 lead.STAR POWER:Conley scored 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting and had seven assists. He made six of seven shots in the third quarter, including both 3-point attempts.QUOTE OF THE NIGHT:I hated that. I was looking forward to that matchup honestly. Allen said about missing the opportunity to guard the traded Smith.UP NEXT:Knicks: Wednesday at Washington.Grizzlies: Wednesday at Atlanta. Cheap Diamondbacks Jerseys Cheap Braves Jerseys Cheap Orioles Jerseys Cheap Red Sox Jerseys Cheap Cubs Jerseys Cheap White Sox Jerseys Cheap Reds Jerseys Cheap Indians Jerseys Cheap Rockies Jerseys Cheap Tigers Jerseys Cheap Astros Jerseys Cheap Royals Jerseys Cheap Angels Jerseys Cheap Dodgers Jerseys Cheap Marlins Jerseys ' ' '