Predators without All-Star D Weber vs. Canadiens

Jan 16, 2009 - 7:13 AM MONTREAL (Ticker) -- Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber was not in the lineup for Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens due to an ailing foot.

The 23-year-old All-Star suffered the injury when he blocked a shot in Saturday's 2-0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

"Shea is one of those dominant defensemen," Predators coach Barry Trotz said. "We miss those guys, but obviously (Montreal) is missing people, too. We don't use that as an excuse."

Weber ranks first among NHL defensemen with 13 goals and also has recorded 31 points in 43 games this season. A native of Sicamous, British Columbia, Weber is the only blue-liner in the league with at least 30 points and 90 hits.

A second-round pick in 2003, Weber has registered 38 goals and 63 assists in 204 career games with the Predators.

Nashville captain Jason Arnott also missed his third straight game with a lingering lower body injury.

"Arnott has probably been our most consistent forward all year, and he's a big, big body and he always plays well when he's in Montreal," Trotz said.

The 34-year-old center has recorded 15 goals and 11 assists in 38 contests this season.

Selected seventh overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1994 draft, Arnott has collected 346 goals and 450 assists in 1,009 contests with the Oilers, New Jersey Devils, Dallas Stars and Predators over his 15-year career.