Predators rested facing Canucks at the opening of second Thursday

NASHVILLE (AP) — The Nashville Predators will face the winner of the Vancouver Canucks of the Presidents trophy in his first semifinal of the Western Conference. By Mike Strasinger, AP

Predators forward Martin Erat, left to face the Canucks says: "we can play with anyone in the League."

By Mike Strasinger, AP

Predators forward Martin Erat, left to face the Canucks says: "we can play with anyone in the League."

No sweat. Nashville split the regular-season series with the best NHL team, and outscored the Canucks 4-2 in Vancouver ".We can play with anybody in the League, "said predators forward Martin Erat (FSY). "It's all gonna be about battles and who wants more".Vancouver moved after defeating the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks in overtime in game 7 of the series quarterfinals Tuesday night. After winning the first three games of the series, Chicago won the next three to force the decisive final game. "Obviously, it was a night (Tuesday) the game exciting. They played very, very well, "said predators coach Barry Trotz. "It will be a big test".After dismissing the Ducks of Anaheim in six games, Nashville will be more rested walking cast for semifinal matchup with the Canucks. The predators have practiced in Nashville on Wednesday morning after learning that his opponent would be, and then flew to Vancouver with 1 game set for Thursday night.The additional time off will be especially beneficial for top predators defensive pairing of Ryan Suter (FSY) and Shea Weber (FSY). Suter led all predators against the ducks by an average of 27: 28 ice time per game with Webber second in 26: 29 The will be a homecoming of sorts for Weber, a native of Sicamous, British Columbia. Road predators games in this series will not only be played in the province of Weber, they also will take place in the same building where he and his fellow team Canada won the gold medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Vancouver Canucks General Manager Mike Gillis has been fined by the NHL to complain about the officiating in the playoff series Vancouver s first round win against the Chicago Blackhawks.

The NHL confirmed the fine Wednesday in an e-mail to the Canadian Press. The wouldn t League reveal the amount.

On Monday, Gillis blamed the referees for the Canucks is being forced to play a game 7 against Chicago. He said that sanctions had been called against the Canucks to the Blackhawks.

He also was angry that wasn't t Chicago's Bryan Bickell a penalty for a hit on defenceman Kevin Bieksa during overtime of game 6. The Canucks won the current Stanley Cup champions 2-1 in overtime Tuesday night to win the series.

The NHL announced Monday that Weber is one of three finalists for the Norris Trophy as the League's top defenceman. Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne (FSY) and Vancouver counterpart Roberto Luongo (FSY) has been named as finalists for the Vezina trophy, honoring the NHL's best goaltender.Rinne the Canucks "have a very good offensive team, but they have a very balanced team," he said. "They gave up the fewest goals in the League, so they are very good defensively, too".Moreover, the extra days off will help heal wounds that predators are struggling after a very physical series against Anaheim. Erat missed games 5 and 6 of the series after taking a high success in the second period of game 4 from Anaheim Jarkko Ruutu (FSY), who was suspended for a game to success.Beyond the prejudice Erat calling an injury of the upper body, the predators have kept silent about the nature of that kept the 29-year-old Czech out of the lineup. Erat practiced with the team Tuesday and Wednesday and is set to return to the game. "He is making the trip, and it is ready to go, '' Trotz said. "It'll be a good add for us ".

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