Cue the trumpets!

Nashville Predators head coach Barry Trotz delivered this morning what Preds fans have long been hoping for, a timetable for Pekka Rinne's potential return to the Nashville net.

"If he doesn't have any setbacks, I think you may see Pekka play during this homestand." - #Preds HC Barry Trotz on @949Game2 — Cellblock 303 (@Cellblock303) February 26, 2014

The Preds return from the Olympic break with five home games (get your tickets right here), starting tomorrow against Tampa and continuing through March 8 vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets. Rinne's absence has been pointed out by team officials as the single biggest factor in the Predators' sub-par performance this season, so will his return provide the boost they need to make a run for the playoffs?

Pekka Rinne #35 / Goalie / Nashville Predators Height: 6-5 Weight: 204 Born: Nov 03, 1982

GP MIN W L OTL GA GAA SA SV SV% SO 2013 - Pekka Rinne 9 493 4 4 1 19 2.31 229 210 .917 0

It's pretty unreasonable to expect that he would step right in from Game One and deliver the Vezina-caliber performances which we've seen over the last few seasons, but any improvement over what the goalies have offered so far would be welcomed.

I think our old pal Sam sums things up best: