Coach Barry Trotz was surprised to see forward Matt Halischuk at practice on Thursday after he slid hard into the boards Wednesday. While he did return to action on Wednesday, Trotz thought the forward would be taking a maintenance day off. Halischuk has only played in four of the eight playoff games as he has been a healthy scratch in the other four, so he is not giving Trotz any reason to take him out. Halischuk said he missed a couple of shifts Wednesday because he was just winded after going into the boards. He has an assist in the playoffs thus far.

Matt Halischuk skated alongside Paul Gaustad and Jordin Tootoo at practice on Wednesday. Brandon Yip and Nick Spaling were joined by rookie Craig Smith on the fourth line. If those changes remain for Game 3 then Colin Wilson will find himself in the press box against Phoenix Wednesday night. Coach Barry Trotz had to alter his combinations after the team suspended forwards Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn, but it was originally unclear who would replace them.

Matt Halischuk has five points in four games since being teamed with Craig Smith on the same line. Smith has four points in that stretch as both players are clicking with each other. "We're taking the puck to the net, and it's going in right now," Smith said. "I think (Halischuk) is a really smart player. You don't see him have an off game a lot. We're working hard and getting rewarded for it." Halischuk has only 12 goals and 19 points in 52 games this season so unless he continues to stay hot, we cannot recommend him at this time.

Matt Halischuk scored the game-winning goal in Nashville's 3-1 victory Monday. It was also Halischuk's 10th goal of the season. Sergei Kostitsyn and David Legwand accounted for the Predators other two goals. Ryan Ellis, Martin Erat, and Colin Wilson each registered an assist.

Matt Halischuk scored a goal in a 2-1 shootout victory Friday. Roman Josi assisted on Halischuk's goal. Martin Erat scored the game deciding goal in the shootout.

Matt Halischuk had a goal in Nashville's 3-0 win Thursday. Halischuk is contributing more than points to the Nashville cause as he screened Jason LaBarbera on Jonathon Blum's game winner but did not pick up a point. "That's his game," Blum said. "He's a guy who makes a good living in front of the net, and getting in goalies eyes." While Halischuk is a great team player, his fantasy value is tiny.

Matt Halischuk's second goal of the season was the only shot that beat Roberto Luongo on Thursday in a 5-1 loss to Vancouver. Halischuk's goal was assisted by Colin Wilson and Jonathon Blum. Halischuk had four goals and 12 points in 27 games for Nashville last season and is a good two-player who does not score enough at this time to warrant time on a fantasy roster.

Matt Halischuk has signed a two-year contract worth $1.425 million with Nashville. He is set to earn $600,000 in 2011-12 and $825,000 in 2012-13. Halischuk registered four goals and 12 points in 27 games last season. The hearing on Friday that might've made him an unrestricted free agent won't matter now that he is under contract.