Kostitsyns join Belarus; Radulov to have surgery

Team Belarus will get an offensive boost on Friday when Nashville Predators forwards Andrei and Sergei Kostitsyn arrive to join the team at the World Championships.

The two brothers, two years apart in age, are expected to land Friday and play their first game against Slovakia on Saturday, according to IIHF.com.

The pair played three seasons together with the Montreal Canadiens, before being separated when Sergei was traded to Nashville. They were reunited this year when Andrei was traded to Nashville mid-season. On the international stage the Kostitsyns last played together in 2008 at the World Championships.

Belarus currently has one win and two losses through three games of the preliminary round.

Predators forward Alexander Radulov reportedly turned down an invitation from Team Russia, so that he could undergo knee surgery.