NHLBAM1_17WPGvsNSHPreview2

The top two clubs in the Central Division clash tonight at Bridgestone Arena as the Nashville Predators host the Winnipeg Jets. It's the second of four meetings between the two rivals this season; the Preds shut out the Jets at home back in October and will visit Winnipeg twice in March.
Nashville began their three-game homestand with a bang on Tuesday night when they crushed the Capitals by a 7-2 final. Viktor Arvidsson recorded his second-career hat trick in the rout to get the Preds to the 60-point mark, just two behind the Jets for the lead in the Central.
The Predators will face another Western powerhouse like themselves, while also participating in what could end up being another playoff rematch. It didn't go Nashville's way back in May, and although that series isn't top of mind for the Preds, they haven't erased it, either.
\[Read More: Preds Projected Lineup vs. Jets\]
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"There's a knowledge of what they are as a team, which is a pretty good team," Preds Head Coach Peter Laviolette said of the Jets. "They're big, they're strong, they're good offensively, they play good defense and they've had a good year… We fight more in the day than we do in the year's past, but nobody forgets what happened. It's not like it didn't happen - it did - but we're always a little bit more current, or at least I am. We're a little bit more current with the situation, and for me, it's pretty simple. Just look at any standings you want, and you realize the game's got a little bit of importance to it."

Last Time Out:
In addition to Arvidsson's hat trick on Tuesday, Nick Bonino scored twice, while Rocco Grimaldi and Calle Jarnkrok also tallied for the Preds. Goaltender Juuse Saros earned his 11th win of the season in net to tie a career high, and defenseman Mattias Ekholm recorded his 35th and 36th points of the campaign to tie, and then set, a career-high in the category.
Ryan Johansen continues to lead the team in scoring with 42 points, followed by Ekholm with 36 and Roman Josi with 34. Filip Forsberg has 18 goals on the season, Arvidsson has 17 and Craig Smith has potted 14.

Ekholm, Forsberg talks Jets vs. Preds

The Opposition:
Winnipeg has won three straight - and five of their last six - including a 4-1 victory over Vegas on Tuesday. Blake Wheeler has 60 points on the season, followed by Mark Scheifele with 58 points and Kyle Connor with 37. Scheifele and Patrik Laine have 25 goals apiece; Nikolaj Ehlers has 15. Connor Hellebuyck is 20-13-1 in net this season, while Laurent Brossoit has gone 10-1-1.
All-Time Meetings:
Nashville is 24-12-(1)-4 all-time against the Jets franchise, including a 15-6-(0)-0 record at Bridgestone Arena. Overall, Nashville has earned at least a point in five of its last six meetings with Winnipeg, including a 3-1-1 record against the Jets in 2017-18. The Predators have won five of their last six games over the Jets on home ice, averaging 4.2 goals per game in those victories.

Coach Laviolette talks Jets vs. Preds

Notables Versus Winnipeg:
Roman Josi tied the Preds franchise record for assists and points in a game with five on Feb. 27, 2018, at Winnipeg. He has 20 points (3g-17a) in 22 career games versus the Jets.
Ryan Johansen is averaging more than a point per game in his career against Winnipeg, tallying 12 goals and 12 assists for 24 points in 20 games. Filip Forsberg is on a three-game point streak (3a) and has picked up at least one point in six of his last eight contests against the Jets. He's posted 15 points (3g-12a) in 22 career contests versus Winnipeg.
When You Go:
Bridgestone Arena doors open at 5:30 p.m. CT ahead of tonight's 7 p.m. puck drop. Be sure to stop by the Preds Foundation area at Section 106/107 to check out auction items up for bid. This week, fans may purchase two 2019 Preds Foundation Calendars for just $30.
Visit the Ford Ice Center area (outside of Section 107/108) in the month of January to register your child for a Preds Party at Ford Ice Center or sign them up for a 2018-19 Kids Club membership. For more information,
click here
.

Preds host Jets in potential playoff preview

Watch & Listen:
Coverage for tonight's contest begins with Predators Live on Fox Sports Tennessee at 6:30 p.m. Willy Daunic, Chris Mason and Kara Hammer have the call on the television side, while Pete Weber and Hal Gill will broadcast on 102.5 The Game and the Predators Radio Network. For broadcast information and channel locations throughout the country,
click here
.
If the Predators are playing hockey, you can count on the game being on at Preds Approved Bars & Restaurants. Locations throughout Tennessee may be seen by
clicking here
.
Streaming Info:
Listen to a Live Radio Feed
(only active during the game broadcast window).
Watch a Live Stream of the game
on the Fox Sports Go App or
Watch on NHL.TV