Sandstrom, Marshall Back in the Lineup

The news wasn’t all bad from Nashville for the Ducks.

Winger Tomas Sandstrom played his first game since breaking his left wrist Nov. 8 against the Detroit Red Wings. He skated with his customary linemates, Travis Green and Marty McInnis.

Defenseman Jason Marshall returned to the lineup for the first time since suffering a partially torn left hamstring Dec. 18 against the New York Islanders. He was paired with Pavel Trnka on defense.

Sandstrom returned earlier than expected, but Marshall’s return had been delayed just a bit. Coach Craig Hartsburg was simply pleased to have both back in the lineup Monday.

“He made big strides during the road trip,” Hartsburg said of Sandstrom, who has five goals and two assists in 13 games this season.

Of Sandstrom, who returned earlier than expected, Hartsburg said: “His strength is there and his conditioning is unbelievable.”

Of Marshall, Hartsburg said, “He wanted to play the last couple of games, but it wasn’t safe to play him. The training staff finally felt the chances of him re-injuring it [Monday] were small.”

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Nashville’s management, bracing for a small crowd because of the Tennessee-Florida State game, opened its doors after the Predators’ victory and invited fans to watch the college football championship on the arena’s video screens. Several thousand fans--including a few hundred cheering the Seminoles, stayed to watch.