Alexander Radulov should have no shortage of motivation going into Game 5 on Monday. Radulov wasn't allowed to play in Game 3 because he violated a team rule. He was then listed as a healthy scratch for Game 4. However, the the Predators one loss away from elimination, they are expected to put him back into the lineup. "I have something to prove, not to you guys or to somebody, first of all it's to myself and that's about it," Radulov said.

Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn, who didn't play in Game 3 or Game 4, practiced on the second line Sunday. Nick Spaling rounded on the line. Although it doesn't come as a surprise at this point, Predators coach Barry Trotz said again that Radulov and Kostitsyn are expected to return on Monday. They missed Game 3 due to a one-game suspension for violating a team rule and then they were healthy scratches in Game 4. However, the Predators could use their offensive talents as they try to avoid being eliminated on Monday.

Barry Trotz backed up earlier reports that Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn are likely to play for the Nashville Predators against the Phoenix Coyotes in a must-win Game 5 on Monday. Trotz's exact quote on Radulov and Kostitsyn is: "I think there's a high probability they'll both go in." Many owners of both players will likely gripe that the decision is an example of "too little, too late."

Alexander Radulov will probably play in Game 5 on Monday. Radulov missed Game 3 due to a team suspension and was a healthy scratch for Game 4. However, after the Predators were shutout of Friday's game, they're expected to reinsert Radulov. He's the team's leading scorer with six points in seven postseason games.

Alexander Radulov will be a healthy scratch on Friday. Radulov didn't play in Game 3 because he was suspended for violating a team rule. He served his time, but Nashville has decided not to tweak the lineup that earned them a 2-0 victory on Wednesday. Radulov is the team's leading scorer in the playoffs with six points in seven games.

Alexander Radulov practiced on the fifth line Thursday. Radulov was suspended by the Predators for Wednesday's game along with Andrei Kostitsyn for violating a team rule and when he returned to practice on Thursday, he lined up with Kostitsyn and healthy scratch Craig Smith. The Predators won Game 3 so coach Barry Trotz is in no hurry to tinker with the winning lineup. Do not be surprised if Radulov and Kostitsyn are in the press box Friday, despite the fact that Radulov still leads the team in playoff points with six, but Trotz could put one of the two into the lineup as well. Stay tuned.

Alexander Radulov's suspension is over, but there's no guarantee that he will return to Nashville's lineup for Game 4 on Friday night. "It's up to the coaches," said Radulov, who was given a one-game ban for violating a team rule. "I can't control that. I control myself. I will just work hard at practice and whatever will be will be. I just make sure everything is good for the team." He leads the Predators with six points in seven playoff games.

Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn, who have been suspended by Nashville for Game 3, may be scratched for Game 4 as well if the Predators win Wednesday night. "With our situation, tonight, if you get it done I would expect I would probably go back with the same group," coach Barry Trotz said. The Nashville bench boss also said that Radulov and Kostitsyn wouldn't have played in Game 2 had the club known they violated team rules prior to the contest. The team found out what had happened afterward, so no discipline was issued for that match. Radulov is the team's leading scorer with six points in seven postseason games, while Kostitsyn is right behind him with three goals and one assist.

Alexander Radulov has been suspended for Wednesday's Game 3 at home against the Coyotes. The team indicated Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn were in a violation of team rules. Radulov is 3-4-7 and plus-3 in nine playoff matches.

Even though Alexander Radulov has warranted the criticism he's received, he's not the only Predator playing poorly in the second-round series. Radulov has been criticized for the media for his play on defense, but coach Barry Trotz said there are a number of players who need to step up with the Preds in a 2-0 hole to the Coyotes. "There are guys that haven't contributed in any significant way in the last couple games here, be it scoring chances, be it defensive play, be it momentum, be it physicality, all the things. . It's just not good enough. We just have to up our game, plain and simple."