5 Keys: Jets at Predators, Game 5

JETS at PREDATORS
9:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVAS
Best-of-7 series tied 2-2
NASHVILLE -- The Nashville Predators will try to win back-to-back games for the first time in their Western Conference Second Round series when they play the Winnipeg Jets at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday.

The Jets and Predators have alternated wins through the first four games and have combined for 28 goals (7.0 per game).
RELATED: [Complete Predators vs. Jets series coverage]
Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne is coming off his best game of the series, a 32-save performance in a 2-1 win at Winnipeg in Game 4 on Thursday.
Here are 5 keys for Game 5:

1. Jets must unclog neutral zone

Winnipeg wants to improve its play through the neutral zone and its ability to enter the offensive zone cleanly. Nashville was able to clog the neutral zone in Game 4 and disrupt the flow of Winnipeg's attack.
"There are a lot of things from our game that could change," Jets center Mark Scheifele said. "A big one is just the neutral zone. I think we've got to be a little smarter. We're in [Game 4] the whole game. We gave them a few too many odd-man rushes that probably we'd like to take back."

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2. Nashville's commitment to defense

The Predators made a commitment to play better defensively in Game 4 and limited the Jets to one goal on 33 shots in a 2-1 win. They want a similar effort defensively in Game 5 to help out goaltender Pekka Rinne.

"Every time you go on the ice you always intend to be committed to every detail of the game," Nashville forward Ryan Johansen said. "It's obviously a very hard thing to do. But everyone was on the same page [in Game 4] and played a great game in front of [Rinne]. And we need to continue doing that to set ourselves up better for success."

3. Fiala may be back for Predators

Predators forward Kevin Fiala is likely to play after being scratched for Scott Hartnell in Game 4. Fiala has scored two goals in the series, including the winner in double overtime of Game 2, but feels like he must improve his play away from the puck.
"I've just got to be better, you know?" Fiala said. "Just be more competitive, better strides, win more puck battles and just help the team out more."

4. Perreault could return for Jets

Jets forward Mathieu Perreault could make his series debut in Game 5 after missing eight games with an upper-body injury sustained in the opener of the first round against the Minnesota Wild. He had 39 points (17 goals, 22 assists) in 70 games during the regular season.

"I guess it would be a game-time decision," Perreault said. "I'm preparing myself as if I was [playing], and we'll see tonight."

5. Ramped-up intensity

The winner of Game 5 can advance to the Western Conference Final by winning Game 6 at Bell MTS Place on Monday. When a best-of-7 series is tied 2-2 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the winner of Game 5 has an all-time series record of 202-54 (.789).
"I think it goes to another level," Winnipeg defenseman Josh Morrissey said. "Obviously both teams have had games at home and on the road, an even-up series. The next game is extremely important. I expect it to be definitely at another level for intensity and compete and everything like that

Jets projected lineup

Kyle Connor -- Mark Scheifele -- Blake Wheeler
Nikolaj Ehlers -- Paul Stastny -- Patrik Laine
Brandon Tanev -- Adam Lowry -- Bryan Little
Mathieu Perreault -- Andrew Copp -- Joel Armia
Josh Morrissey -- Jacob Trouba
Toby Enstrom -- Dustin Byfuglien
Ben Chiarot -- Tyler Myers
Connor Hellebuyck
Steve Mason
Scratched:Tucker Poolman, Joe Morrow, Shawn Matthias, Marko Dano, Jack Roslovic, Matt Hendricks
Injured:Dmitry Kulikov (lower body)

Predators projected lineup

Filip Forsberg -- Ryan Johansen -- Viktor Arvidsson
Kevin Fiala -- Kyle Turris -- Craig Smith
Colton Sissons -- Nick Bonino - Austin Watson
Miikka Salomaki -- Mike Fisher -- Ryan Hartman
Roman Josi -- Ryan Ellis
Mattias Ekholm -- P.K. Subban
Matt Irwin -- Yannick Weber
Pekka Rinne
Juuse Saros
Scratched:Scott Hartnell, Anthony Bitetto, Alexei Emelin, Eeli Tolvanen
Injured:Calle Jarnkrok (undisclosed)

Status report

Hendricks stayed out late at the morning skate for the Jets. Perreault could replace him in the lineup. … Hartnell was on a line with Jarnkrok and Tolvanen at Nashville's morning skate.