Game Day: Hurricanes at Preds

The Nashville Predators return to Bridgestone Arena tonight to host the Carolina Hurricanes and begin a four-game home stand. The Preds are coming off of a five-game trip out west - their longest of the season - a journey that saw them go 1-2-2, including a shootout loss to Arizona on Thursday.
Filip Forsberg is Nashville's leading scorer with seven points, all of them assists. Ryan Johansen (1g-5a), P.K. Subban (2g-4a), Roman Josi (2g-4a), Mike Ribeiro (1g-5a) and Viktor Arvidsson (4g-2a) are all tied for second with six points apiece. Craig Smith leads the team in goals in five, including three in his last two games. Pekka Rinne is 2-4-2 in net for the Preds this season.
Carolina (2-4-3) sits last in the League with seven points. Jeff Skinner leads the team with five goals and 11 points, followed by Victor Rask who has four goals and 10 points to his name. Goaltender Cam Ward is 1-3-2 on the season for the Hurricanes.

As the Preds look to get on a run at home, here are three things to watch for against the Canes.
Home Sweet Home:
After returning from a five-game, 11-day trip away from Nashville, the Predators are anxious to get back in front of their fans and try to string together some wins. Carolina has a League-worst seven points, one point behind Nashville. A win on Saturday is crucial for the Preds to get the home stand off to a good start, and a backing from the Smashville faithful could add the extra boost the Preds haven't had in two weeks.

Second in Line:
The Preds trio of Mike Ribeiro centering Craig Smith and Colin Wilson have gotten good looks during their two games together, with Smith potting three goals in his last two games. Ribeiro has an assist in each of his last two outings, and the line has been responsible for a number of shifts with sustained offensive pressure, leading to a few goals. Look to see if the chemistry between these three continues to build to provide a spark for the Preds.

60 Minutes:
After Thursday's game in Arizona, a common theme in the Preds locker room from the players dealt with the belief that their effort wasn't strong enough through 60 minutes. Putting together a consistent, 60-minute game has been a challenge for the Preds in the early going, so that will likely be at the forefront of the focus heading into tonight's contest.

When You Go:
The first 5,000 Preds fans to enter Bridgestone Arena this evening will receive a Predators luggage bag tag courtesy of the Nashville International Airport. A plaza party, presented by Lee Company, begins at 5 p.m. on the Arena plaza, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.
Projected Lineups:

Predators Projected Lineup

| Forwards | | | | --- | --- | --- | | Viktor Arvidsson | Ryan Johansen | James Neal | | Colin Wilson | Mike Ribeiro | Craig Smith | | Filip Forsberg | Calle Jarnkrok | Kevin Fiala | | Cody Bass | Colton Sissons | Austin Watson | | Defense | | | | Roman Josi | Ryan Ellis | | | Mattias Ekholm | P.K. Subban | | | Matt Irwin | Yannick Weber | Matt Carle | | Goaltenders | | | | Pekka Rinne | Marek Mazanec | |
\Matt Carle and Harry Zolnierczyk were the extra skaters during this morning's session.*

Hurricanes Projected Lineup

| Forwards | | | | --- | --- | --- | | Jeff Skinner | Victor Rask | Lee Stempniak | | Joakim Nordstrom | Jordan Staal | Andrej Nestrasil | | Sebastian Aho | Elias Lindholm | Teuvo Teravainen | | Viktor Stalberg | Jay McClement | Phillip Di Giuseppe | | Defense | | | | Ron Hainsey | Justin Faulk | | | Jaccob Slavin | Brett Pesce | | | Noah Hanifin | Ryan Murphy | | | Goaltenders | | | | Cam Ward | Eddie Lack | |
Take It In:
Tonight's game against the Hurricanes begins at 7 p.m. (CT) on Fox Sports Tennessee, with the Predators Live! pregame show kicking off at 6:30 with Willy Daunic, Stu Grimson and Lyndsay Rowley. Pete Weber and Chris Mason call the action on 102.5 The Game and the Predators Radio Network.