Each night seems to bring a new wrinkle to the Central Division standings and tonight will certainly be no different.
The top three teams in the division - Winnipeg, Nashville and St. Louis - will all be in action, with the Predators hosting the Canucks (at 7 p.m. CT). The trio of clubs are separated by a single point in the standings.
Nashville (45-29-6) took care of business on Tuesday, topping the Buffalo Sabres, 3-2. Austin Watson returned to the lineup that evening, playing his first game since a second suspension this season. The Predators are tied for first in the Central Division and a point up on the Blues; Nashville could be as high as first or as low as third after tonight's set of games.
The Canucks (35-35-10) have been eliminated from playoff contention but have won three games in a row, with two of those victories coming in shootouts.
The Preds held a full morning skate on Thursday at Bridgestone Arena and were joined by Frederick Gaudreau, Matt Irwin, Cody McLeod, Rem Pitlick, Miikka Salomaki and Yannick Weber. Below is a Predators projected lineup based on the session:
Projected Lineup: Canucks vs. Predators
Predators Likely to Keep Same Lineup Which Won on Tuesday in Buffalo
© John Russell
