Just weeks after repairing a partially torn meniscus, Jason Arnott's return brought a collective sigh of relief to an injury-plagued Predators team. During his absence, Scott Nichol and Vern Fiddler filled in admirably, but Arnott possesses key intangibles and skill that the Predators sorely lacked, such as his size which creates space for his line-mates, his ability to win face-offs, and a quick, hard wrist-shot.

While Arnott has scored three goals in the past three games, he is still averaging nearly five minutes less ice-time (15:19) than earlier this season before his surgery. Six of Arnott's ten goals this season have come on the power-play and four of those were game-winners.

"Recovering and going through rehab is pretty boring, especially when the guys are on the road, so it's nice to have them back and nice to be back on the ice with them," said Arnott, who had been skating on his own. Coach Barry Trotz said he ultimately left the decision for his return up to Arnott.

DIVISION UPDATE

The Predators (53 points) celebrate the holidays leading the Central Division by six points over the Detroit Red Wings (47 points). Nashville (37 games played) comes out of the Christmas break having played two more games than the idle Red Wings (35 games played). Six games are remaining between these two divisional foes.

ICE CHIPS

League-wide, Nashville ranks third in goals per game with 3.28 and seventh in goals against per game with 2.56.

Face-off specialists Yanic Perreault and Mike Sillinger made the Predators the best face-off team in the league last season. Choosing not to re-sign either, Nashville has significantly dropped way down to the 22nd best with a winning percentage of just 48.6 this season. Steve Sullivan (28th) and Paul Kariya (29th) may lead the Predators in scoring, but are barely in the NHL's top 30 point producers.

While Nashville has outscored opponents 40-29 in the first period and 52-21 in the second period, the Predators are being severely outscored 25-40 in the third period this season.

Nashville has three defensemen ranked among the league's top 30: Kimmo Timonen (seven goals, 17 assists, +9 rating), Shea Weber (five goals, 14 assists, +4 rating), and Marek Zidlicky (three goals, 16 assists, +1 rating). Nashville has six players (Kariya, Sullivan, Arnott, Legwand, Hartnell, and Radulov) with ten or more goals.

INJURIES

Center Vernon Fiddler is out two to three weeks with a bruised shoulder suffered against St.Louis on December 16th... Right wing Scottie Upshall is out four to six weeks with a groin strain suffered against Columbus on November 15th... Goaltender Tomas Vokoun is out two to four weeks with a hand injury suffered against Vancouver on November 23rd.