NASHVILLE -- Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne cant wait to test himself in a game. The Predators, who announced Wednesday that they are sending Rinne to their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee, are cautiously waiting to see if the two-time Vezina Trophy finalist can help them chase down a playoff berth. Both Rinne and the team will have a better idea of where he is after the conditioning assignment for games Friday and likely Sunday in this latest step in his recovery from an E. coli infection in his surgically repaired left hip. Rinne has been limited to only nine games this season. Coach Barry Trotz said the Predators will be monitoring Rinne after each practice and game. "Hes at a point where weve got to find out where he is game-wise and also body and mind," Trotz said of Rinne. The Predators start a five-game home stand Thursday night hosting Tampa Bay just four points back of the Western Conferences eighth and final playoff spot with 23 games remaining. They missed the playoffs last year for only the second time in nine seasons. How quickly Rinne rejoins them depends on how he fares in Milwaukee. Rinne practiced with the Predators on Wednesday before travelling to Milwaukee, and he called this a big day with doctors giving him the green light for the latest step in his long recovery. He has been sidelined since Oct. 24 for an infection in the hip surgically repaired May 9, and Rinne said hes focusing on getting his game back and help the Predators. "So far I feel really comfortable," Rinne said. "Im happy how things have gone in practice and how things have gone so far. I think Im actually a little bit surprised its been going so well. But like I said, its still a process but for sure I feel like Im really close to game shape and now its just a final couple of games before I jump on the ice with the Nashville team." Rinne, 31, is sixth in the NHL with 152 wins since the 2008-09 season and has 30 shutouts since 2008-09, which leads all goalies during that time. He hasnt played since Oct. 22 in a 2-0 loss at Minnesota. He is 4-4-1 with a 2.31 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. The Predators have played four other goalies this season trying to make up for Rinnes absence. Currently, Carter Hutton is their starter, and he is 13-9-4 with a .904 save percentage and 2.87 goals-against average. Trotz said what theyve been missing without Rinne is a game-changer who can mean the difference in as many as 20 points in the standings each season. "Hes an elite goaltender and steals games maybe when you dont deserve it," Trotz said. "He can steal points." Trotz said theyre not sure what theyll see from Rinne. "Its not about Pekka coming back and being a saviour," Trotz said. "I think its Pekka coming back and adding to our mix. And if he can get his game to the level close to what hes capable of, were a better hockey team plain and simple. To me, its about Pekka for hopefully the next five or six years. Hes a difference maker." Captain Shea Weber, who practiced with the Predators on Wednesday after helping Canada win the Olympic gold medal Sunday in Sochi, said the Predators are definitely excited about the prospect of Rinne returning to the lineup as they try to chase down a playoff spot. "Weve been through a lot this year and to see what position we put ourselves in here four points out coming in its not going to be easy by any means," Weber said. "If anyone can do it, we can." Discount Sports Jerseys .ca NHL Power Rankings, ahead of the Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues and Anaheim Ducks. Moving up, from 10 to seven this week, the Pittsburgh Penguins have won seven straight despite a depleted lineup. Wholesale Sports Jerseys . 1. CAVALIERS: At 19-20, theyre a mess. 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Sports Jerseys From China .com) - The top spot in the AFC South will be on the line when Houston native Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts shoot for their fourth straight win when they take on the Texans at NRG Stadium.VERONA, Italy - The Netherlands beat Italy 2-1 Thursday to become the 23rd team to qualify for the Womens World Cup in Canada next year.Vivianne Miedema scored both goals to help the Dutch qualify for the womens showcase tournament for the first time.The 18-year-old also scored in the 1-1 draw in the first leg of the playoff.Miedema, who plays for Bayern Munichs womens team, put the Dutch ahead in the tie in the ninth minute before make it 2-0 just before halftime when she collected Lieke Martens through ball and beat defender Roberta DAdda before rounding onrushing Italy goalkeeper Laura Giuliani.Italy, which had not qualified for the World Cup since 1999, got a goal back in the 53rd when Stephanie van der Gragt turned Sara Gamas cross into her own net.Italy mens coach Antonio Conte and Italian football federation president Carlo Tavecchio were present.The last finalist will be determined Tuesday when Trinidad aand Tobago hosts Ecuador in Port of Spain.dddddddddddd The two teams tied 0-0 in the opening leg in Quito.Trinidad and Tobago finished fourth in CONCACAF qualifying while Ecuador was the third-place finisher in South America.The draw for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 is set for Dec. 6 in Ottawa.The tournament, to be held in Moncton, Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver, runs June 6 to July 5.The Womens World Cup Trophy, meanwhile, is kicking off its Live Your Goals Tour with a stop in Madrid this weekend.The tour will take the trophy to all 24 participating countries, with the second stop in China on Jan. 11.---QualifiedCanada (host), Australia, Brazil, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, England, France, Germany, Ivory Coast, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, U.S.With files from The Associated Press ' ' '