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Not a surprise: Kostitsyn will be healthy scratch Tuesday

Nashville Predators v Detroit Red Wings

DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 23: Sergei Kostitsyn #74 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena on February 23, 2013 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 4-0. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Sergei Kostitsyn

Gregory Shamus

Sergei Kostitsyn will take a seat in the press box and think about what he did.

According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, the Nashville forward will be a healthy scratch Tuesday in Columbus -- a clear punishment for pulling up on the back-check and heading to the Predators’ bench Sunday in Edmonton, with the Oilers going on to score shorthanded on a 2-on-1.

Kostitsyn, 25, admitted after the game that he made a mistake, but apparently that wasn’t enough for Nashville coach Barry Trotz, who was left understandably flummoxed.

“I can’t give you a logical explanation for an illogical event,” said Trotz.

The Preds (11-12-6), currently 11th place in the Western Conference, have lost three straight and are in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008-09.

NSH knows its recent slide is broader/more complex than one bad change but feels there needs to be accountability on such an obvious gaffe.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 18, 2013