The Nashville Predators penultimate road game of the regular season takes place in Pittsburgh tonight (at 6 p.m. CT).
The Preds (43-28-6) shut out the Minnesota Wild, 1-0, on Monday to clinch their fifth consecutive postseason berth. In the days since, Nashville signed defenseman Dante Fabbro to an entry-level deal and saw him skate in Thursday's practice alongside Dan Hamhuis (Injured Reserve). It remains to be seen if Fabbro will make his NHL debut and Hamhuis will return from injury or if Matt Irwin and Yannick Weber will be the Predators third defensive pairing against the Penguins.
Pittsburgh (42-24-11) topped Nashville just eight days ago when the teams went to a shootout in Music City. Center Evgeni Malkin has resumed skating, but is not expected back for this evening's contest.
The Predators held an optional morning skate on Friday at PPG Paints Arena.
Prior to Friday's skate
, the Predators recalled goaltender Troy Grosenick from Milwaukee. Netminder Juuse Saros could miss tonight's game due to illness. Below is a Preds projected lineup based on the session:
Projected Lineup: Predators at Penguins
Predators Third Pairing on Defense has Options as Club Faces Penguins
© Joe Sargent
