No lineup changes expected as Stars take on Nashville

The Dallas Stars will roll with the same lineup as last game as they take on the Nashville Predators at American Airlines Center tonight.
The Stars, who are coming off a solid 4-0 win over Chicago on Thursday, are expected to go with the same line combinations, defense pairs and goaltender -- Ben Bishop -- they used in the win over the Blackhawks.

Tonight's game is the final one before the NHL's holiday break, and the Stars would like to go into it on a positive note. They'd also like to get two points against the top team in the Central Division -- a team they have yet to beat this season and a team they trail by five points heading into tonight's standings.
"Every time we play them, we have to bring our A-game because we know they're going to," said Stars defenseman Greg Pateryn. "These games are huge. They are four-point games every night in this division. It's the last one before the break here, and I think everyone has the energy in them to go tonight, so I think that will be key also."

The Stars, who are playing the second of four straight games against the Central Division, are 0-2-0 against the Predators this season, including a 4-1 loss at Nashville on Oct. 12 and then a 5-2 loss in Dallas on Dec. 5.
"We've got to be better in a lot of areas," Stars coach Ken Hitchcock said. "But I think we are a lot better team than even played them the last time. That's three weeks ago, and I think we are going to find out tonight."
The Stars (19-14-3) have points in three straight games (1-0-2) and have points in five of their last six (3-1-2). They are 8-4-2 in their last 14 games.

Predators Watch

The Predators held an optional skate this morning at American Airlines Center. Juuse Saros is the expected starter in goal. Saros is 3-3-1 with a 2.62 goals against average and a .920 save percentage. He stopped 43 of 45 shots in the 5-2 win in Dallas on Dec. 5. Forward Craig Smith, who missed the last game with a lower-body injury, could be ready to play tonight. The Predators (21-9-4) have lost their last two games after going 16-2-2 in their previous 20 games.

Tonight's Game

Who:Nashville Predators at Dallas Stars
Where:American Airlines Center
When:7 p.m.
TV:Fox Sports Southwest Plus
Radio:The Ticket 1310 AM/96.7 FM

Stars Projected Lineup

Remi Elie - Jamie Benn - Alexander Radulov
Mattias Janmark - Tyler Seguin - Devin Shore
Antoine Roussel - Radek Faksa - Tyler Pitlick
Gemel Smith - Martin Hanzal - Jason Spezza
John Klingberg - Esa Lindell
Dan Hamhuis - Greg Pateryn
Stephen Johns - Julius Honka
Ben Bishop
Kari Lehtonen
Scratched:Brett Ritchie
Injured:Marc Methot (knee)

Predators Projected Lineup

Filip Forsberg - Ryan Johansen - Viktor Arvidsson
Kevin Fiala - Kyle Turris - Craig Smith
Calle Jarnkrok - Nick Bonino - Austin Watson
Scott Hartnell - Colton Sissons - Cody McLeod
Roman Josi - Mattias Ekholm
Alexei Emelin - P.K. Subban
Anthony Bitetto - Yannick Weber
Juuse Saros
Pekka Rinne
Scratched: Pontus Aberg, Miikka Salomaki, Matt Irwin
Injured:Ryan Ellis (knee)
Mark Stepneski is an independent writer whose posts on DallasStars.com reflect his own opinions and do not represent official statements from the Dallas Stars. You can follow Mark on Twitter at @StarsInsideEdge.