The Nashville Predators will take a run at wins in three consecutive games when they host the San Jose Sharks for the first time this season (tonight at 7 p.m. CT).
The Preds (36-14-9) won both games of a back-to-back set to begin the week - topping the Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings - and will now begin their final home stand of the month. All eyes will be on the Predators' crease tonight with Pekka Rinne projected to start and chasing history. A win would make him the 34th NHL goaltender all-time to reach 300 wins, the first in franchise history and the third Finnish netminder.
Craig Smith was absent from the Predators morning skate.
San Jose (33-19-8) opened a four-game road trip with a 3-2 win over the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. The Sharks also beat the Predators 4-1 on Nov. 1. Nashville and San Jose will meet one more time on March 29.
Below is a Predators projected lineup based on Thursday's full morning skate:
Projected Lineup: Sharks vs. Predators
Pekka Rinne Could Win 300th NHL Game Tonight
© John Russell
