Central Division notebook:

The Central Division was supposed to be the new powerhouse this season. Fielding four playoff teams last season, with the Predators missing by thismuch (technically, three points), the division was just going to get stronger.

It was supposed to be Chicago and Detroit battling for the division title, with Columbus and St. Louis having a similar battle for playoff positioning and the Predators on the outside looking in.

Apparently, Nashville didn't get the memo.

With 33 games remaining in their season, Nashville sits 11 points back from the division-leading Blackhawks with 61 points — good enough for second in the division and fourth in the Western Conference.

What's even more surprising is that Nashville is the second of two teams from the Central Division currently in the playoff picture, with Detroit currently one point back of eighth place.

All this without a player who has more than 32 points this season. All this without a spectacular, game-changing goaltender.

The Predators this season are getting things done by committee. Despite not having a player with more than 32 points, they have six players with at least 10 goals and five with at least five, which includes two on the cusp of reaching double digits.

They are giving up a shade under three goals per game but somehow, some way, manage to keep winning. What's more, the team has struggled mightily at home this season, going 14-10-1 on home ice, compared to 15-7-2 on the road.

The curious trend continues, when you look at their goal totals. At home, they're averaging 2.52 goals per game while giving up 2.64. On the road, it's 3.04 and 2.88, respectively.

"We just play really loose on the road," goaltender Dan Ellis told the Tennessean. "We're feeling comfortable in other teams' buildings. When we get on the road, there's a lot of team bonding that goes on. Guys get close to each other, have a lot of fun and it just seems to go well."

If that's the case, maybe it's time for the Preds to start their own road atmosphere at home.

Whatever the case may be, the Predators continue to win and continue to show the qualities of a true winning team — the most important of which is that they continue to find ways to pull out victories.

While there certainly may be more potent offensive and defensive teams in the Western Conference, Nashville is showing everybody it's not a team anyone would want to face in the playoffs.

CHICAGO

The Blackhawks will try to rebound Thursday night after a tough loss to the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday. Despite Marian Hossa's 13th goal of the season, the Hawks fell short as goaltender Cristobal Huet gave up four goals on 18 shots in the loss. ... Rookie Antti Niemi will get the nod between the pipes in Thursday's game against the Flames. Head coach Joel Quenneville telling reporters on Wednesday that Niemi "deserves a chance to play."  The rookie netminder is 12-3-1 this season, with a 1.90 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage. ... Despite all the talk swirling around the Blackhawks about a potential dynasty, owner John McDonough has remained grounded, telling reporters, "I'm not comfortable with any of it."  He refused to make the comparisons to the ‘Hawks and the Oilers teams of the 1980s, saying, "The only guarantee is where we are now, which is hungry and grounded. We know what we've accomplished so far: nothing. When's the last time we won a division?" ... Anyone who hoped to get tickets to the third annual Blackhawks Convention this coming summer will have to wait. The team announced Thursday that tickets have sold out for the outing, marking its third straight sellout.

COLUMBUS

The Blue Jackets continue their three-game road trip on Thursday night against the Boston Bruins. Columbus dropped the first of their three-game trip by a score of 5-3 to the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday. Struggling goaltender Steve Mason will get the nod in net on Thursday in Boston. ... The Blue Jackets have given up the first goal in five straight games, all within the first 2:30 of the game. Jeff Carter was the most recent recipient of their early-game generosity, scoring just 58 seconds into Tuesday's tilt. ... Former Columbus Blue Jacket Michael Peca retired on Tuesday, ending a 13-season NHL career. Peca spent the last two seasons of his career with Columbus, scoring 12 goals and 56 points in 136 games with the franchise. ... Columbus activated Fredrik Modin off of injured reserve on Tuesday, sending Alexandre Picard to their AHL affiliate Syracuse Crunch. Picard, who was picked eighth overall by Columbus in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, is scoreless this season with 10 penalty minutes.

DETROIT

The Red Wings will face the Minnesota Wild on Thursday, looking to rebound from a disappointing loss against the Washington Capitals. G Chris Osgood let in three goals on 23 shots as the Wings fell 3-2 to the Caps, despite outshooting them 46-23. ... General manager Ken Holland told reporters Thursday that he is hoping to keep forward Todd Bertuzzi around past this season. Bertuzzi, who has 13 goals and 27 points this season, has enjoyed a bit of a revival playing alongside Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. Holland stated that the team had hoped "he could get 40 to 50 points, and it looks like he'll get that. He's given us a dimension of size and strength." ... The Detroit News reported Sunday that the Red Wings are looking at playing in the Palace in Auburn Hills while a new building is constructed in Detroit. The Ilitches, the owners of the Red Wings, have not yet renewed their lease at Joe Louis Arena and it is thought that the impending repairs necessary at the arena might cause the team to look elsewhere. According to the News, the long-term goal of the team is to get a new arena built in downtown Detroit. ... Mike Babcock told reporters that he wasn't concerned about Datsyuk's drop in production this season. Babcock attributed Datsyuk's lack of offense to the injuries that have hampered the club all season long. He said that he is confident that Datsyuk will return to form as more regulars begin to filter back into the lineup. 

ST LOUIS

St. Louis rebounded from a Montreal comeback to get an overtime victory on Wednesday. David Perron, Paul Kariya and Alexander Steen all scored in the first period for St. Louis, and Andy McDonald scored the overtime game-winner to give Ty Conklin just his second win in his last five starts. ... Since taking over at the helm in place of Andy Murray, Davis Payne has gone 5-3-1 behind the bench, bringing the Blues just two points back from 12th place in the Western Conference and four back of 10th. ... President John Davidson announced Monday that Tyler Love has been hired as the team's goaltending consultant. Love is a co-owner and instructor for the World Pro Goaltending School in Calgary, Alberta. ... G Chris Mason was named as the NHL's second star for the week ending Jan. 17. Mason stopped 66 of 68 shots that week, posting a 0.67 goals-against average, a .971 save percentage and one shutout while going 3-0-0.

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