Ryan Malone : November 22nd, 2008, 2:18 am est

News: Tampa Bay left wing Ryan Malone returned to the lineup Friday against the Predators after missing the previous four games because of a lower-body injury and had three assists in 4-1 win. However, he left in the second as a precautionary measure after experiencing soreness. He finished at plus-2 while not attempting a shot.

Analysis: Malone is trying to play through the lower body ailment, which is believed to be a groin, but he might just be better off resting up until he is 100 percent if he just isn't going to finish games. Tampa Bay did have Friday's game in hand, so it was easy to rest him. Malone struggled under coach Barry Melrose, but had a stellar debut under Rick Tocchet Friday. Tocchet could bring out the best in Malone, so keep tabs on his progress