The Nashville Predators return from the Christmas Break with three games remaining in 2017. Tonight, they'll meet the St. Louis Blues for the second time this season (at 7 p.m. CT).
Nashville (21-9-5) is mired in their longest losing streak of the season, after a shootout loss in Dallas on Dec. 23 stretched the skid to three games. In Saturday's game, Craig Smith returned to the lineup after missing a single contest with a lower-body injury. Cody McLeod also entered the forward group in place of Pontus Aberg.
The Blues (23-13-2) used their final game before the break to end a three-game losing streak, capturing a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. St. Louis holds a one-point lead on the Central Division, but has played three more games than Nashville and lost, 2-0, in the clubs' first matchup on Nov. 24.
The Preds held a full morning skate at Scottrade Center on Wednesday and were joined by Ryan Ellis (non-roster injury). Below is a projected lineup based on the session:
Projected Lineup: Predators at Blues
Predators Play Final Three Games of 2017 Versus Central Division Brethren
© Jeff Curry
