Predators Center Nichol Breaks Thumb - Out For Series vs. Detroit

Detroit, MI. (AHN) - If the Nashville Predators are going to shake off their opening game playoff loss to Detroit and topple the Red Wings, they will have to do so without Scott Nichol.

The Predators stellar center suffered a broken left thumb in Tuesday night's loss to the Red Wings and will be unavailable for the rest of the series.

It is a tough blow for the Predators to deal with, as Nichol is a terrific penalty killer, face-off man and boasts the experience of seven years on the ice.

The Predators will not use Nichol's injury as an excuse to not be at their best when the teams' clash again for Saturday's game two.

"He has a real competitive intangible in the room,'' Predators Coach Barry Trotz told Freep.com. "He's one of the leaders that drive our hockey club. We're going to miss him, but we've missed a lot of players over the past year. We'll just have to find another way to get things done.''

Predators center Dave Legwand, who missed the previous 13 games due to a foot ailment, could be ready to play or the team may call up a player from the minors to replace Nichol.

From AHN