Predators at Canucks preview

PREDATORS (40-14-9) at CANUCKS (24-32-8)
10 p.m. ET; SNP, FS-TN, NHL.TV

The 37-year-old forward signed a one-year contract Monday after announcing Jan. 31 that he would come out of retirement. He began practicing with the Predators on Feb. 12, a little more than six months after he retired.
The Predators would match their longest winning streak since Nov. 12-25, 2009, with a victory. Goalie Juuse Saros is expected to start after Pekka Rinne made 34 saves in a 4-2 win against the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.
Nashville leads the Vegas Golden Knights by two points for first place in the Western Conference and the Winnipeg Jets by six for first in the Central Division.
Goalie Jacob Markstrom will start for the Canucks. He was pulled after giving up three goals on five shots in 12:29 in a 6-5 overtime loss against the New York Rangers on Wednesday.
Vancouver is 3-8-2 in its past 13 games and 18 points behind the Anaheim Ducks for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference.

Players to watch

Predators defenseman Roman Josi has 12 points (one goal, 11 assists) in his past six games.
Canucks left wing Daniel Sedin has seven points (five goals, two assists) during a four-game point streak.

They said it

"To be able to come back and deliver on such a huge night for him was something special." -- Predators forward Austin Watson after the win in Edmonton gave David Poile the most wins by an NHL general manager (1,320), passing Glen Sather
"It's no secret this is a good test against a team that is second overall in the NHL right now. They're on a pretty good roll, and like a lot of good teams they are starting to play their best hockey down the stretch." -- Canucks coach Travis Green on the Predators

Predators projected lineup

Filip Forsberg -- Ryan Johansen -- Ryan Hartman
Kevin Fiala -- Kyle Turris -- Craig Smith
Scott Hartnell -- Nick Bonino -- Calle Jarnkrok
Austin Watson -- Mike Fisher -- Viktor Arvidsson
Roman Josi -- Ryan Ellis
Mattias Ekholm -- P.K. Subban
Alexei Emelin -- Yannick Weber
Juuse Saros
Pekka Rinne
Scratched: Anthony Bitetto, Miikka Salomaki, Matt Irwin, Colton Sissons
Injured: None

Canucks projected lineup

Brendan Leipsic -- Bo Horvat -- Brock Boeser
Daniel Sedin -- Henrik Sedin -- Nikolay Goldobin
Sven Baertschi -- Sam Gagner -- Jake Virtanen
Darren Archibald
-- Brandon Sutter -- Tyler Motte
Alexander Edler -- Erik Gudbranson
Michael Del Zotto -- Troy Stecher
Ben Hutton -- Derrick Pouliot
Jacob Markstrom
Anders Nilsson
Scratched:Alex Biega, Jussi Jokinen, Nic Dowd
Injured: Loui Eriksson (fractured rib), Brendan Gaunce (foot), Markus Granlund (ankle), Chris Tanev (lower body), Sam Gagner (upper body)

Status report

Nashville didn't have a morning skate. … Eriksson will miss the remainder of the season after cracking a rib against the Arizona Coyotes on Sunday.

Stat pack

Arvidsson has nine points (six goals, three assists) in his past six games. ... Nashville has scored four or more goals in five of its past six games and Vancouver has allowed four of more goals in seven of its past 11 games. … Horvat has nine points (five goals, four assists) in his past nine games.