Preview: Stars at Predators

STARS (8-7-5) at PREDATORS (8-7-3)
8 p.m. ET; TVA Sports, FS-SW+, FS-TN, NHL.TV

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Stars team scope

Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg could be a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game. Klingberg was scratched in the Stars' 3-2 overtime win against the Minnesota Wild on Monday for being late to a meeting. Coach Lindy Ruff did not divulge his defense pairings after the morning skate. Dallas is placing extra importance on games within the Central Division. "Us and Nashville are going to be two teams that are going to be neck and neck, so a game in November is just as important as a game we're going to play in March," forward Jason Spezza said. "That's where you stress the importance." Forward Tyler Seguin has 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in his past nine games and leads the Stars with 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) in 20 games.

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Predators team scope

The Nashville Predators are coming off a 3-1 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday and are 6-1-1 at home. Defenseman Roman Josi left the game against the Lightning in the third period after being hit by Tampa Bay forward JT Brown and did not return, but participated in practice on Tuesday. The Predators' penalty kill is 24-for-24 at home this season. "I think it's just attention to detail," forward Colton Sissons said. "Getting our clears down the ice and not turning those pucks over. One thing that we've been working on is winning our faceoffs in the defensive zone, just to get that puck and get it down right away kills a lot of time. Just all those little things, and I think guys are pretty desperate out there and sacrifice their body blocking shots."

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Stars projected lineup

Jamie Benn - Cody Eakin - Tyler Seguin
Patrick Sharp - Jason Spezza - Patrick Eaves
Antoine Roussel - Radek Faksa - Brett Ritchie
Lauri Korpikoski - Devin Shore - Adam Cracknell
Dan Hamhuis - Julius Honka
Jordie Benn - Stephen Johns
Esa Lindell - Jamie Oleksiak
Kari Lehtonen
Antti Niemi
Scratched:John Klingberg, Curtis McKenzie
Injured:Ales Hemsky (hip), Jiri Hudler (illness), Mattias Janmark (knee), Johnny Oduya (lower body)

Predators projected lineup

Viktor Arvidsson - Ryan Johansen - James Neal
Filip Forsberg - Mike Ribeiro - Craig Smith
Colin Wilson - Mike Fisher - Pontus Aberg
Colton Sissons - Calle Jarnkrok - Austin Watson
Mattias Ekholm - P.K. Subban
Roman Josi - Ryan Ellis
Matt Irwin - Yannick Weber
Pekka Rinne
Marek Mazanec
Scratched:Cody Bass, Matt Carle
Injured:Anthony Bitetto (upper body), Miikka Salomaki (upper body)

Status report

The Stars and Predators each had an optional skate Tuesday. … Lehtonen is expected to start after Niemi played in the win against Minnesota. ... Rinne is expected to make his 16th start in Nashville's 19 games.

Who's hot

Eaves has eight points (six goals, two assists) in a six-game point streak. … Subban has two goals and three assists in the past three games. Rinne has won five of his past six starts and has a 1.18 goals-against average during that span.