Dumont Returns; Predators Reassign Scatchard

The Nashville Predators will welcome their leading scorer back to the lineup tonight when they take on the St. Louis Blues at the Scott Trade Center. J. P. Dumont returns after missing three games due to an upper body injury and is expected to be reunited on the top line with center Jason Arnott and wing Steve Sullivan. Dumont leads the team in scoring with eleven points in nine games.

To make room on the roster, the Predators have reassigned veteran forward Dave Scatchard to their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee. Scatchard had been averaging around ten minutes of ice time since his call up by the Predators.

Scatchard’s reassignment means that forwards Mike Santorelli and Andreas Thuresson will remain with the team. Santorelli notched a goal against the Sharks in Tuesday night’s game and Thuresson has picked up his first two NHL points (0G-2A) on this road trip.

The Predators are 7-8-1 for the season and 1-2 on this four game road trip. The team looks to rebound from a disappointing 4-3 loss to San Jose on Tuesday, when they let the Sharks come from behind to tie the game and then score the game winner with :59 seconds left.

This will be the first meeting of the seson between the Central Division rivals. Last season, the Blues captured the season series with a 4-2 mark against the Predators.