Preview: Maple Leafs at Predators

MAPLE LEAFS (36-24-15) at PREDATORS (39-26-11)
8 p.m. ET; TSN4, FS-TN, NHL.TV

Maple Leafs team scope

The Toronto Maple Leafs are one point ahead of the Boston Bruins for third place in the Atlantic Division and trail the Ottawa Senators by four points for second place in the division. Toronto is 8-2-1 in its past 11 games. Goaltender Frederik Andersen will return after missing one game with a jaw injury. "If you look positive, it's a few days in between games," Andersen said. "You always try to stay positive about everything, so that's the glass half full." Toronto will put an emphasis on trying to contain the Nashville Predators defensemen. "Their top four [defensemen] play a lot of minutes and are real active," coach Mike Babcock said. "They have a lot of skill on this team so we're going to have to play right. If we play right, we'll limit their opportunities. If we get into being silly and turning pucks over, they're going to look really good so we've got to be smart about what we do and spend some time in the offensive zone."

Predators team scope

The Predators are 10 points ahead of the Los Angeles Kings for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference. They are one point behind the St. Louis Blues for third place in the Central Division. Center Mike Fisher participated in the morning skate and could play. He has missed four games with a lower-body injury. The Predators are 7-2-0 in their past nine games and have won seven of their past eight home games. "I think just keep playing like we've been doing," forward Filip Forsberg said. "Obviously last game (a 4-1 loss to the Boston Bruins on Tuesday) was a little [setback], but other than that I think we've been playing pretty good hockey. We've been playing hard defensively and scoring goals as well so just try to stay with that and improve if we can." Peter Laviolette will coach in his 1,000th NHL game. He's 516-360-25-98 with the Predators, Carolina Hurricanes, New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers. "It's been such an honor for me just to be here coaching and working with so many great people along the way," Laviolette said. "Great coaches, great players, great organizations and great cities. I feel lucky to be a part of it."

Maple Leafs projected lineup

Leo Komarov -- Nazem Kadri -- Connor Brown
James van Riemsdyk -- Tyler Bozak -- Mitchell Marner
Zach Hyman -- Auston Matthews -- William Nylander
Matt Martin -- Brian Boyle -- Kasperi Kapanen
Morgan Rielly -- Connor Carrick
Jake Gardiner -- Nikita Zaitsev
Matt Hunwick -- Roman Polak
Frederik Andersen
Curtis McElhinney
Scratched:Alexey Marchenko, Ben Smith
Injured:Eric Fehr (hand), Josh Leivo (undisclosed), Nikita Soshnikov (undisclosed)

Predators projected lineup

Filip Forsberg -- Ryan Johansen -- Viktor Arvidsson
PA Parenteau -- Calle Jarnkrok -- James Neal
Colin Wilson -- Colton Sissons -- Craig Smith
Cody McLeod -- Mike Fisher -- Austin Watson
Roman Josi -- Ryan Ellis
Mattias Ekholm -- P.K. Subban
Anthony Bitetto -- Matt Irwin
Pekka Rinne
Juuse Saros
Scratched:Kevin Fiala, Vernon Fiddler, Brad Hunt, Harry Zolnierczyk
Injured:Miikka Salomaki (lower body), Yannick Weber (upper body)

Status report

Bozak did not participate in the morning skate, but Babcock said he is expected to play. … Parenteau took Fiala's place on line rushes alongside Jarnkrok and Neal. … Weber did not participate in the morning skate.

Who's hot

Nylander has 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) during a 12-game point streak. … Craig Smith has seven points (one goal, six assists) in his past five games.