from John Glennon of The Tennessean,

The Predators' game Tuesday against New Jersey will mark the team's 20th in 36 days since the NHL All-Star break. Only one other team, Florida, has played 20 in 36 since the break, and only two teams, Washington and the New York Islanders, have played as many as 19 games in those 36 days.

"It's been a grinding schedule since the All-Star break," Predators general manager David Poile said, hours before his team tries to snap its season-high, three-game losing streak at New Jersey.

"It's been very, very busy, and it doesn't seem like it lightens up much. There have hardly been any practice days. I'm not trying to give excuses. I'm just trying to say it's been a grueling schedule.

"To me, the last couple of games, we just haven't had our legs. Other teams have been quicker than us the last two games, and we just need to get that back."

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