Rangers at Predators preview

RANGERS (25-21-5) at PREDATORS (30-12-7)
8 p.m. ET; MSG, FS-TN, NHL.TV

Rinne made 27 saves in a 3-0 win at the New Jersey Devils on Jan. 25 and 19 saves in a 5-0 victory against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday, and has won six consecutive starts with a 1.48 goals-against average.
The Predators, 7-1-1 in their past nine games, have held opponents to two goals or fewer in six of their past eight games, including three shutouts.
The Rangers, 1-4-0 in their past five games and 3-7-0 in their past 10, have allowed four or more goals in four straight games, and in six of their past nine games.
Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist has been pulled from his past two starts for New York, with a 4.62 GAA in his past four starts.

Players to watch

Rangers forward Rick Nash has seven points (six goals, one assist) in his past seven games. Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello has five assists in his past five games.
Predators defenseman P.K. Subban has nine points (three goals, six assists) in his past nine games.

They said it

"You say in playoff hockey, players have to elevate their game, teams have to elevate their game. I say if you're trying to get into the playoffs, it sort of has to be the same thing." -- Rangers coach Alain Vigneault
"It's just one game and we all know how long the season is and how much work there needs to be put in, but to have a little flash of the success that we can have when we're all on the same page and playing within our game plan and within our structure, we can be a very successful team." -- Predators forward Ryan Johansen after playing with a full lineup in a 5-0 win against the Kings on Thursday

Rangers projected lineup

Jimmy Vesey -- Mika Zibanejad -- Rick Nash
Michael Grabner -- Kevin Hayes -- Mats Zuccarello
J.T. Miller -- Peter Holland -- Jesper Fast
Cody McLeod -- David Desharnais -- Paul Carey
Ryan McDonagh -- Nick Holden
Brady Skjei -- Marc Staal
Brendan Smith -- Tony DeAngelo
Henrik Lundqvist
Ondrej Pavelec
Scratched: Steven Kampfer
Injured:Pavel Buchnevich (upper body), Chris Kreider (rib surgery), Kevin Shattenkirk (knee surgery)

Predators projected lineup

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

Status report

Buchnevich is out indefinitely after being injured in a 4-0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday. … The Rangers did not hold a morning skate.

Stat pack

Nash has 42 points (26 goals, 16 assists) in 60 games against the Predators. … Arvidsson has six points (four goals, two assists) in his past six games.