Predators at Hurricanes preview

PREDATORS (27-15-4) at HURRICANES (21-18-5)
12:30 p.m. ET; FS-TN, FS-SE, NHL.TV

Nashville is 5-0-2 in its past seven games following a six-game losing streak (0-5-1). The Predators have scored at least four goals in five of the past seven games.
The Hurricanes are 6-1-0 in their past seven games and have scored at least four goals in five of their past six games.

Players to watch

Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm has four straight multipoint games and nine points (three goals, six assists) in a five-game point streak.
Hurricanes forward Justin Williams has a four-game goal streak, and six points (five goals, one assist) in a six-game point streak.

They said it

"I know the way we have to play (Sunday) to be successful. If there is anything like a letdown, we will be in big trouble. They're 6-1-0 in their last seven, they're dangerous. This will not be an easy game." -- Predators coach Peter Laviolette
"Quite frankly, it's embarrassing to be where we were (in the Eastern Conference standings). We expected to be a lot higher, but we're making progress. That's the important thing. But we can't look at the standings yet. We just need to keep plodding along and banking points." -- Hurricanes captain Justin Williams on Carolina, which was 15-17-5 on Dec. 29

Predators projected lineup

Filip Forsberg -- Ryan Johansen -- Viktor Arvidsson
Kevin Fiala -- Colton Sissons -- Craig Smith
Calle Jarnkrok -- Nick Bonino -- Austin Watson
Ryan Hartman -- Frederick Gaudreau -- Rocco Grimaldi
Roman Josi -- Ryan Ellis
Mattias Ekholm -- P.K. Subban
Dan Hamhuis -- Matt Irwin
Juuse Saros
Pekka Rinne
Scratched: Anthony Bitetto, Zac Rinaldo, Phillip Di Giuseppe
Injured: Yannick Weber (undisclosed), Kyle Turris (lower body), Miikka Salomaki (upper body)

Hurricanes projected lineup

Brock McGinn -- Sebastian Aho -- Teuvo Teravainen
Micheal Ferland -- Lucas Wallmark -- Jordan Martinook
Andrei Svechnikov --
Greg McKegg
-- Justin Williams
Warren Foegele -- Victor Rask --
Saku Maenalanen
Jaccob Slavin -- Brett Pesce
Calvin de Haan -- Justin Faulk
Trevor van Riemsdyk -- Dougie Hamilton
Petr Mrazek
Curtis McElhinney
Scratched:None
Injured:Jordan Staal (upper body), Clark Bishop (lower body)

Status report

Saros (illness) practiced on Saturday. … Staal, who has missed the past 10 games, skated Friday for the first time since Dec. 22.

Stat pack

Johansen has eight points (two goals, six assists) in his past seven games. ... Subban has five points (two goals, three assists) in the past five games. … Teravainen has seven points (two goals, five assists) in his past six games. McElhinney is 4-0-0 in his past four starts with a 2.25 goals-against average and .919 save percentage.