Preds Practice Ponderings: December 12

After dropping two games on the road, the Nashville Predators have returned to town looking to get back on track this week, and they could be getting some assistance.
Defenseman Ryan Ellis and forward Colton Sissons, both still on Injured Reserve, participated fully in Monday's practice at Centennial Sportsplex, as they look to return from their upper-body injuries. Sissons took rushes on the fourth line alongside Austin Watson and Calle Jarnkrok, while Ellis saw time paired with Roman Josi on defense, signaling a return could be coming soon.
"Hopefully," Ellis said on his prospects of playing Tuesday against St. Louis. "Every day is getting better and better, but we'll talk to the [trainers], talk to the coaches and see what they feel."

"It's good to get them back on the ice," Laviolette said of Ellis and Sissons. "They've been out there, but we just haven't had a good practice in a while, so it was good to get home and get a practice in. It was nice to have them on the ice."
Ellis, who last played on Nov. 23, and Sissons, out since Nov. 25, have wanted nothing more than to be able to help contribute to a Preds team that has hit a rut, going 1-3-1 in their last five.
"It stinks when you're sitting on the sidelines, whether you're winning or losing," Ellis said. "Either way, it's not fun when you're hurt or you're out. You always hope the team can pull through for you, but at times if they don't, if they do, it's tough either way."

"It's pretty depressing, honestly," Sissons said. "Especially when the guys go out on the road and you're kind of just sitting around twiddling your thumbs waiting to be better, waiting for your buddies to be back so you can hang out in the dressing room and just feel a part of things. But it's part of the game; everybody goes through it."
No team is immune to injuries throughout the course of a long season, nor is any group unlikely to face adversity at some point. In particular, Nashville's last two losses on the road to Dallas and Arizona left a particularly unpleasant taste.
But the way the Predators see it, there's no point in dwelling on the past, especially when they have a week of home games to worry about.
"We've played some good hockey at home here, and we have to go back to work though," Laviolette said. "It's not going to be a magic switch that we throw on at home. We have to go back to work and make things happen at home.
"Our guys will be ready to play tomorrow."
Shot of the Day: