Canadiens at Predators preview

CANADIENS (8-12-2) at PREDATORS (12-6-2)
8 p.m. ET; SN1, RDS, FS-TN, NHL.TV

Weber said the lower-body injury that caused him to miss the Candiens' 3-1 loss at the Dallas Stars on Tuesday has been nagging him for a little while now. The Canadiens are 0-3-1 in their past four games and 4-7-0 on the road.
The Predators, 7-1-0 in their last eight games, will try to improve upon their 7-1-1 home record. The Predators could move past the Winnipeg Jets for second place in the Central Division with a win and a Jets loss to the Los Angeles Kings Wednesday.

Players to watch

Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher scored his team-leading ninth goal on Tuesday.
Predators' Mattias Ekholm has scored in four consecutive games, a team record for defensemen.

They said it

"It's improving, that's the good thing. Obviously mentally that's what you want is just to continue to improve. Obviously, you want it to be perfect over a matter of no time, but that's not always the case." -- Canadiens defenseman Shea Weber on his injury.
"I think we had our struggles early in the year, a little inconsistent. But I think the last 10 games we've been playing a lot better and playing really consistent. Still a lot of things we can do better, playing with the lead and stuff like that, so there's always room for improvement, but I thought the last couple games have been good."-- Predators defenseman Roman Josi on the first 20 games

Canadiens projected lineup

Max Pacioretty -- Jonathan Drouin -- Alex Galchenyuk
Paul Byron -- Phillip Danault -- Andrew Shaw
Charles Hudon -- Tomas Plekanec -- Brendan Gallagher
Nicolas Deslauriers
--
Jacob de la Rose
-- Torrey Mitchell
Jordie Benn -- Shea Weber
Karl Alzner -- Jeff Petry
Joe Morrow -- Victor Mete
Antti Niemi
Charlie Lindgren
Scratched: Byron Froese, Brandon Davidson, Jakub Jerabek
Injured: Carey Price (lower body), Al Montoya (concussion), David Schlemko (hand)

Predators projected lineup

Filip Forsberg -- Ryan Johansen -- Viktor Arvidsson
Kevin Fiala -- Kyle Turris -- Craig Smith
Colton Sissons -- Nick Bonino -- Calle Jarnkrok
Pontus Aberg -- Frederick Gaudreau -- Miikka Salomaki
Roman Josi -- Mattias Ekholm
Alexei Emelin -- P.K. Subban
Matt Irwin -- Anthony Bitetto
Pekka Rinne
Juuse Saros
Scratched:Cody McLeod
Injured:Ryan Ellis (knee), Scott Hartnell (lower body), Yannick Weber (lower body)

Status report

Price participated in an optional morning skate. The Canadiens recalled defenseman Jerabek from Laval of the American Hockey League on Wednesday. … Gaudreau could replace McLeod on the fourth line.

Stat pack

Pacioretty has five points (three goals, two assists) in 10 career games against the Predators. … Forsberg has seven points (one goal, six assists) in a five-game point streak. Fiala has six points (two goals, four assists) in his past four games.