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Vokoun looks for redemption when Predators meet Blue Jackets

Jan 18, 2007 - 3:45 PM Columbus (17-24-5) at Nashville (32-12-3) 8:00 pm EST

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- After his shortest outing of the season, goaltender Tomas Vokoun can't wait to get right back on the ice.

Vokoun is expected to be in goal Thursday when the Nashville Predators host the Columbus Blue Jackets.

After going 36-18-7 last season, Vokoun won three consecutive starts after missing 20 games with a hand injury. However, he was lifted after yielding two goals in nearly 22 minutes of Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

Jordin Tootoo and defensemen Dan Hamhius and Greg Zanon scored for the Predators, who had their six-game winning streak ended. They are tied with the Buffalo Sabres for most victories (32) and are one point behind the Anaheim Ducks for the league lead in points (67).

Vokoun has won all four of his starts against the Blue Jackets and Chris Mason was the victor in Saturday's 4-1 triumph at Columbus.

The Blue Jackets have dropped four of their last five outings and lead the Los Angeles Kings by one point to avoid the worst record in the Western Conference.

Columbus is coming off Tuesday's 5-4 overtime triumph over the Chicago Blackhawks. Jason Chimera netted the game-winning goal midway through the extra period and Sergei Fedorov scored his 14th tally.