NASHVILLE -- Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne cant wait to test himself in a game. Dan Marino Dolphins 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." A.J. Derby Dolphins Jersey . JOHNS, N. Albert Wilson Dolphins Jersey .J. Hardy to avoid a three-game sweep after blowing a big early lead. Odour had a leadoff single in the seventh and scored the tiebreaking run with the help of two errors by Hardy as the Rangers went on to beat the Orioles 8-6 on Thursday night. http://www.shopdolphinsauthenticnfl.com/Youth-Jerome-Baker-Elite-Jersey/ . An offseason trade acquisition from Kansas City, Greinkes National League debut was delayed by a non-baseball injury in the spring, and he was 0-1 after dropping an 8-0 decision at Atlanta in his initial appearance with the Brewers on May 4.Calgary doesnt seem the ideal place for the Carolina Hurricanes to pick up their first win of the season. Nonetheless, the Canes look to beat the Flames as the visiting team for the first time in nearly 12 years tonight as the clubs clash at the Saddledome. The Flames come in having lost the opener of a five-game homestand on Tuesday, 2-1 in overtime to the Tampa Bay Lightning. That setback came on the heels of a 4-2-0 road trip. Karri Ramo made 20 saves, but gave up the game-tying goal with 2:16 to go in regulation and the winner three minutes into overtime. Defenseman Dennis Wideman scored his third goal in four games off a nice setup from Johnny Gaudreau, who knifed through the middle of the ice before dishing to the defender while on the power play. Johnny basically drew everyone in the rink to him, Wideman said. Ramo is 3-2-0 with a 2.20 GAA and .933 save percentage in five previous meetings with the Hurricanes, including four starts. Fellow Flames netminder Jonas Hiller is 3-1-0 with a 1.97 GAA and .940 save percentage in four prior encounters. Carolina has gone winless through its first five games of the season for the first time since going 0-5-0 in 1987-88 when the franchise was known as the Hartford Whalers. The Hurricanes are 0-3-2, following up a pair of shootout losses with a 3-1 setback to the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. Josh Sitton Dolphins Jersey. Jiri Tlusty scored on the power play in the first period, but that came after the Hurricanes allowed two goals in the games first three minutes. The start obviously wasnt what we were looking for at all, said Carolina first-year head coach Bill Peters after his club dipped to 0-3-2 on the year. Anton Khudobin stopped 23 shots in his second straight start. Carolina did see the return of forward Jeff Skinner to the lineup after he missed the first four games with a concussion. However, both Jordan and Eric Staal remain out with injury, though Eric Staal could return from his upper- body injury next week. The Hurricanes play the third contest of a five-game road trip tonight and will visit Edmonton on Friday. First, theyll try to earn their first victory in Calgary since Dec. 12, 2002. They have lost five straight trips since while losing three straight and seven of the last nine meetings overall. With Carolina also in action Friday night, it seems likely that both Khudobin and Cam Ward will get starts. It is unknown which of the two will get the call tonight as Ward is 2-2-0 with a 3.87 goals against average and .869 save percentage in five previous meetings. Khudobin has lost his only career start versus Calgary, but gave up just two goals on 29 shots. Cheap Chargers Hoodies Cheap Browns Hoodies Cheap Texans Hoodies Cheap Ravens Hoodies Cheap Panthers Hoodies Cheap Jets Hoodies Cheap Titans Hoodies Cheap Chiefs Hoodies Cheap Bills Hoodies Cheap Colts Hoodies Cheap Cardinals Hoodies Cheap Buccaneers Hoodies Cheap Rams Hoodies Cheap Jaguars Hoodies Cheap Falcons Hoodies Cheap Bengals Hoodies ' ' '