MONTREAL - After two years out of the NHL playoffs, there is new optimism among the Nashville Predators.A stunning turnaround aided by a coaching change, the addition of veteran forwards James Neal and Mike Ribeiro and the emergence of 20-year-old forward Filip Forsberg have put Nashville in first place in the Central Division going into the all-star break.Now they believe theyve got enough pieces to keep up their strong play through the second half of the regular season and do some damage in the playoffs.Absolutely, veteran centre Mike Fisher said Tuesday. We really believe in this group.We believe were a top team in this league and we are. Weve shown it thus far. Were really confident in the group we have, that we can win any night against other top teams.The Predators had not lost twice in a row this season going into a game Tuesday night against the Canadiens in Montreal, where they were without star goalie Pekka Rinne for a third game due to an injury expected to last three weeks.Backed by Rinne and an impressive defence group led by Shea Weber, the Predators are the NHLs stingiest team, allowing only 2.25 goals per game. But Nashville has been known as a tight defensive side in recent years.The surprise is that they are tied for fifth in goals scored per game at 3.0.Part of that stems from the decision last summer to let the conservative Barry Trotz go after coaching the team through its first 15 NHL campaigns and bring in a more attack-minded Peter Laviolette.Trotz is now performing wonders in making the Washington Capitals a winning, two-way club, while Laviolette will also be a coach of the year candidate for doing much the same in Nashville.Its good for both sides, said Weber. You see the success theyre having (in Washington) and that were having.There was a different feel coming into training camp this year with a new face and I think the guys have responded very well.The second part of the season will determine if the Predators are for real, but it looks like it so far.They certainly have the goaltending with Rinne, considered one of the best in the world.With Weber, they have the big No. 1 blue-liner every team wishes it had, and he is backed by a group that can defend and move the puck. Among them is emerging talent Seth Jones, the fourth pick in the 2013 draft.Only a few months ago, they didnt appear to have much up front, but then Forsberg turned into a nearly point-per-game player and a strong two-way player on the top line with veteran Mike Ribeiro, who so far has shown a new commitment to discipline after being bought out by Arizona due to behavioural problems.Hes been an excellent addition to our team, Laviolette said of Ribeiro, who is on pace for his first 70-point campaign since 2010-11. Terrific in the room, terrific teammate, terrific on-ice play.Forsberg, playing his first full NHL campaign, was acquired from Washington in March 2013 for Martin Erat and Michael Latta in what is looking to be a spectacular steal for Nashville.Fisher centres James Neal, a one-time 40-goal scorer picked up in a trade with Pittsburgh in June, and Colin Wilson, who is having a breakout season and will soon top his career high of 35 points.Veteran Olli Jokinen, signed from Winnipeg, is playing on the fourth line. Another reclamation project, defenceman Anton Volchenkov, brings his stay at home style to the third defence pair and being dumped by New Jersey.Fisher likes the teams chances.With the goaltending we have, and look at our back end: everyone can handle the puck and skate, he said. And you look at the mix, the young guys, the leadership, energy, the way we play.Were all excited about what we can do. Its a tough league and the playoffs are tough, but we feel weve got a lot of pieces and character and we can be successful.The Predators have won only two playoff series in their history, the last against Detroit in 2012.The optimism now stems from adding some offence to a team known for tight defence. That comes from Laviolette.Id say were more aggressive, said Fisher. We want to be hungry for pucks, to forecheck really hard.The way our defence can move the puck helps us offensively. And defensively, we want to be hard to play against. He wants us to play both ends. He wants us to make plays and be creative, but be responsible.It has worked so far, but Weber, the captain, knows there is a lot of hockey still be played.I was on this team a while back when we were in first place for a while too, he said. Weve had good teams since Ive been in Nashville.Its just been tough the last couple of years. Theres still a lot of season left and we have to keep it up. 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Varlamov stopped 36 shots and Paul Stastny had a goal and an assist for the Avalanche in a 5-1 victory over the Blackhawks.Burnley, Leeds and Rotherham could be celebrating a double awards victory after all three teams were nominated in the Sky Bet Championship manager and player of the month awards for March. Clarets boss Sean Dyche is in the running after guiding his side to 10 points from a possible 12, including a 1-0 win over rivals Blackburn. Highlights of the Championship match between Burnley and Cardiff at Turf Moor The contribution of striker Sam Vokes to Burnleys fine run of form has also been recognised. Powerful in the air and back to full fitness, Vokes has led the front line magnificently since January. His four goals during the month included an impressive header to earn a point in the 1-1 draw with Wolves. Leeds United striker Marco Antenucci enjoyed an impressive March Leeds manager Steve Evans is also up for the monthly award after he too led his side to three wins from four games to ease any lingering relegation concerns.The Elland Road club are also represented by striker Marco Antenucci, who scored his first goals since November during the month.The Italian netted four times in March, including both goals in the 2-1 win at Blackburn, supplying a clever flicked finish for the first before curling home the second. Highlights of the Championship match between Bristol City and Rotherham at Ashton Gate Former Leeds boss Neil Warnock has been tasked with keeping Rotherham in the Sky Bet Championship, a task that was boosted after they secured 10 points from a possible 12 during the month.ddddddddddddWins over Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday helped lift Rotherham out of the bottom three, with Warnocks name put forward for providing some steel to the Millers side. Neil Warnock has helped guide Rotherham away from the relegation zone That spirit was exemplified by Lee Frecklington, who earned his nomination for player of the month by playing through the pain barrier.The box-to-box midfielder ignored a calf strain to play a hugely influential part in Rotherhams revival, scoring the winner against Middlesbrough. Highlights of the Championship match between Sheffield Wednesday and Blackburn Completing the manager of the month nominees is Cardiff boss Russell Slade, who has guided the Bluebirds to seven points from four matches.Finally, Sheffield Wednesday defender Tom Lees earns a nomination for leading a defence which conceded just one goal in four games.The winners will be announced on Sky Sports News HQ on Friday. 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