Nashville D Hal Gill not playing in Game 2 vs Detroit after testing himself by skating briefly

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Predators defenceman Hal Gill says he will not play in Game 2 against Detroit after testing his lower body injury at Friday morning's skate.

Gill has not played since blocking a Sheldon Souray shot late in a win over Dallas on April 5. But he skated briefly Friday morning before telling reporters that while he's improving, he's trying to test the lower body injury without pushing himself too hard.

"I'm going to give it some more time," Gill said. "I don't think at this point I can help the team. We have some good players that could play so I'll let them go."

Nashville coach Barry Trotz said he would warm up seven defencemen again before deciding on a replacement for Gill. Ryan Ellis could be a possibility to make his post-season debut to help a power play that went 0 of 6 in Nashville's opening win.

The Predators could use the 6-foot-7 Gill. Nashville traded Blake Geoffrion and a draft pick to Montreal in February for Gill for his size and to help the penalty kill unit. Gill ranks second among active defencemen with 105 career post-season games with 69 of those in the past four seasons.

Detroit went 2 of 8 with the man advantage in Wednesday night's 3-2 loss with Gill scratched.