Preview: Kings at Predators

KINGS (16-13-3) at PREDATORS (15-12-5)
8 p.m. ET; FS-W, FS-TN, NHL.TV

Kings team scope

The Los Angeles Kings will play the sixth of nine consecutive road games. Nine of the past 10 games between the Kings and Nashville Predators have been decided by one goal. "I think we have similar styles of play," defenseman Alec Martinez said. "They have a really mobile back end that creates difficulties in coverage. Obviously really good goaltending. They've just been a really good hockey club for a long time. They're always emotionally filled games, and this is a really tough building to play in too so we have to bring our A game." Forward Dustin Brown participated in the morning skate, but it is unclear if he will play. He has missed two games with an upper-body injury. Peter Budaj was the first goalie off the ice and is expected to start.

Predators team scope

The Predators could be without defenseman P.K. Subban for the fourth consecutive game. Subban has an upper-body injury and is listed as day to day, but he did not take part in the morning skate. The Predators are 2-0-1 in the past three games and have given up three goals in regulation during that span. "I think just everybody getting back and staying in their spots," forward Colton Sissons said. "Nobody's really cheating and kind of looking for hope plays or looking for a home run play when we just need to play good, solid defense. Sometimes you need to use everybody to get out of your end in this League so I think we've been doing a better job of that lately." The Predators are 10-3-3 at home but 2-2-2 in December.

Kings projected lineup

Marian Gaborik -- Anze Kopitar -- Trevor Lewis
Dwight King -- Jeff Carter -- Tyler Toffoli
Tanner Pearson -- Nic Dowd -- Devin Setoguchi
Andy Andreoff -- Nicholas Shore -- Jordan Nolan
Derek Forbort -- Drew Doughty
Jake Muzzin -- Alec Martinez
Kevin Gravel -- Matt Greene
Peter Budaj
Jeff Zatkoff
Scratched: Kyle Clifford, Tom Gilbert
Injured: Dustin Brown (upper body), Brayden McNabb (collarbone), Jonathan Quick (groin)

Predators projected lineup

Filip Forsberg -- Ryan Johansen -- Kevin Fiala
Colin Wilson -- Mike Ribeiro -- Craig Smith
Viktor Arvidsson -- Mike Fisher -- James Neal
Colton Sissons -- Calle Jarnkrok -- Austin Watson
Roman Josi -- Ryan Ellis
Mattias Ekholm -- Matt Irwin
Adam Pardy -- Yannick Weber
Pekka Rinne
Juuse Saros
Scratched: Reid Boucher, Petter Granberg
Injured:Anthony Bitetto (broken hand), Miikka Salomaki (lower body), P.K. Subban (upper body)

Status report

Toffoli left the Kings' optional morning skate early. … Rinne is expected to start after Juuse Saros got the win in a 5-1 road victory against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.

Who's hot

Carter has four goals in his past five games and leads the Kings with 16 goals and 26 points. … Arvidsson has two goals and seven assists in his past eight games and is tied with Johansen for the team lead with 23 points.