Blues at Predators preview

BLUES (34-24-4) at PREDATORS (37-14-9)
Noon ET; NBC, TVAS, NHL.TV

The Blues, 0-4-1 in their past five games after going 6-3-0 in their previous nine, have scored two goals or fewer in seven of their past 10 games. They hold the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference, and lead the Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames by one point.
Forward Nikita Soshnikov could make his Blues debut after being traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs on Feb. 15; he needed to wait for his work visa.
The Predators, seeking their fourth straight win, are 8-2-2 in their past 12 games and are tied for first place in the Central Division with the Winnipeg Jets.
Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne is 12-1-1 with a 2.04 goals-against average, a .933 save percentage and two shutouts in his past 14 starts.

Players to watch

Blues forward Jaden Schwartz has six points (three goals, three assists) in his past eight games.
Predators forward Viktor Arvidsson has five points (four goals, one assist) in a three-game goal and point streak.

They said it

"It's tough when you get traded. You want to go as soon as you can to your team, meet new players and new guys. I've been doing stuff on my own, practicing and making sure I get ready for my opportunity." -- Blues forward Nikita Soshnikov
"Your whole pregame routine is a little different. I don't think I've ever played a pro game at 11 o'clock (CT) in the morning, so I've got to get up early and just eat a breakfast and then it's time to go. There's no easing into it." -- Predators defenseman Roman Josi

Blues projected lineup

Ivan Barbashev -- Paul Stastny -- Vladimir Tarasenko
Jaden Schwartz -- Brayden Schenn -- Vladimir Sobotka
Alexander Steen -- Patrik Berglund -- Nikita Soshnikov
Scottie Upshall -- Kyle Brodziak -- Dmitrij Jaskin
Carl Gunnarsson -- Alex Pietrangelo
Jay Bouwmeester -- Colton Parayko
Vince Dunn --
Jordan Schmaltz
Jake Allen
Carter Hutton
Scratched: Oskar Sundqvist, Tage Thompson](https://www.nhl.com/player/tage-thompson-8479420?season=20172018), Chris Thorburn
Injured:Joel Edmundson (forearm), Robert Bortuzzo (knee)

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: Pontus Aberg, Anthony Bitetto, Matt Irwin
Injured: None

Status report

Schmaltz and Thompson each was recalled from San Antonio of the American Hockey League on Saturday. … Subban (maintenance) did not practice Saturday.

Stat pack

Tarasenko has 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) in 27 games against the Predators. … Forsberg has 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 19 games against the Blues. … Ellis has five points (one goal, four assists) in a three-game point streak.