The Nashville Predators already faced a tough challenge returning home, down 0-2 to the Phoenix Coyotes in their Western Conference semifinal.

Now, they either have something to rally around with forwards Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn suspended for Game 3 on Wednesday night or wind up with yet another excuse in this series.

The Predators announced the suspensions Tuesday morning, and both general manager David Poile and coach Barry Trotz say the decision to punish the forwards for violating unspecified team rules was easy.

Radulov has six points in seven playoff games. He says he apologized and will support his teammates Wednesday night. He hinted the rule violation may have been curfew, saying he didn’t come back that late.

The Coyotes practiced at home before flying to Nashville.