NHL roundup: Predators suspend Rudalov, Kostitsyn for Game 3

The Nashville Predators suspended forwards Alex Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn, two of their top scorers, for Wednesday's Game 3 of their series against the Phoenix Coyotes.

The team, which announced the suspensions on Tuesday, said only that they had violated team rules, although Radulov hinted it was a curfew violation. The Predators are already down 2-0 in the series.

"The Nashville Predators have a few simple rules centered around doing the right things," general manager David Poile said in a statement. "We have always operated with a team-first mentality and philosophy. Violating team rules is not fair to our team and their teammates."

Radulov spoke with the media, and it sounded as though he had missed a curfew and that the violation had been reported by someone outside the team.

"Yeah, I mean, I didn't come back that late,'' he told reporters. " . . . I don't want to talk about it. They did what they have to do. I'm good with that. Not good - don't get me wrong. I'm disappointed, and I understand what was my mistake. I really hope that everything's going to work out for the team. If I get a chance to play again in the future I'll help the team to win. That's about it."

Radulov had five points in the five-game, opening-round victory over Detroit. Andrei Kostitsyn scored his third goal of the playoffs on Sunday.

---New Jersey Devils left wing Ilya Kovalchuk will miss Game 2 of the team's Eastern Conference Semifinal series against the Philadelphia Flyers with a lower-body injury, general manager Lou Lamoriello told reporters Tuesday morning.

Kovalchuk didn't practice with the team Monday. Some reports have speculated that the winger may have injured his groin or a muscle in his leg.

Kovalchuk finished the regular season with 37 goals and 83 points in 77 games, then recorded three goals and six points in eight postseason games for the Devils.

--- St. Louis Blues goalie Jaroslav Halak will not play for the remainder of the series against the Los Angeles Kings because of a lower-body injury

Blues coach Ken Hitchcock made the announcement at the end of his Monday press

Asked whether Halak, who has not played since Game 2 of the series against San Jose, would be available for Game 3 Thursday night in Los Angeles, Hitchcock said, "No."

Asked whether he would be available as a backup, Hitchcock said, "No ... Jaro's out for the series. He won't play in the series."

That leaves Brian Elliott, who allowed five goals on 21 shots in Game 2, as the team's No. 1 goalie.