Long before the Predators went to the Stanley Cup Final, before Nashville hosted the best All-Star Weekend the NHL had ever seen, before Music City became just as comfortable being called a hockey city, the locals already wanted more of the game.

The 1998 expansion team, that went through the early growing pains, started to make the playoffs, and the popularity grew. It wasn't anywhere near back then what it's become, but for many, the allure was getting too strong.

No longer was being in the crowd or watching on television enough - they wanted to get on the ice themselves. There were opportunities in the Nashville area to do so, but those within the Predators front offices at 501 Broadway knew they could do more to grow the game.

They had to do more.

Nashville, Tenn. (April 18, 2019) - Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced Thursday that the team has signed forward Josh Wilkins to a two-year, entry-level contract.

Wilkins, 21 (6/11/97), helped lead Providence College to its fifth Frozen Four appearance in school history in 2018-19 and capped off his junior campaign with a career-high 46 points (20g-26a) in 40 games. He led the Friars and was ninth in the country in points, and his 20 goals - also a career best - were 10th among all NCAA players. Wilkins, who was among the top three on his team in scoring during all three of his college seasons, was a 2019 NCAA All-American and a 2019 First Team Hockey East All-Star, both career firsts. He closed out his time at Providence with 108 points (48g-60a) in 119 games from 2016-19.

As the Predators prepare for Game 5 against the Dallas Stars on Saturday afternoon, they could have some familiar faces back on the ice at Friday's practice.

In speaking to the media via conference call on Thursday, Preds Head Coach Peter Laviolette was asked about the possibility of Brian Boyle and Wayne Simmonds practicing with the team.

"Don't hold me to this - I believe that they'll be on the ice at practice tomorrow," Laviolette said of Boyle and Simmonds.  

The Dallas Stars scored four goals in the first period on their way to defeating the Nashville Predators by a 5-1 final in Game 4 on Wednesday night. The result sees the Round One series now tied 2-2 with Game 5 set for Saturday in Nashville, and Game 6 now becoming a necessity in the best-of-seven set.

Three of Dallas's four goals in the opening frame came on the power play, and although the Preds settled things down in the final 40 minutes with Roman Josi getting the Preds on the board in the third, the early returns were simply too much to overcome.

"We're definitely angry about this one," Josi said. "Everybody's angry. I think it's normal after a game like that, but that's playoffs. At the end of the day you have to look at it, but you have to put it in the trash tomorrow and then look forward. It's one game, but we're definitely angry about it."

"It's tough to see the scoreboard go that way," Preds center Nick Bonino said. "We came out and had four good shifts. Each line had a good shift 5-on-5, and obviously we got into penalty trouble and our kill has been so solid for a couple months now. You never want to see three go in like that."

Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne has been tapped as the team's nominee for the 2019 King Clancy Memorial Trophy, an award recognizing "the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community."

While the Preds squad certainly overflows with potential nominees year after year, Rinne's work with the 365 Pediatric Cancer Fund made him the clear choice for the 2018-19 season.

Launched during the 2013-14 season, the 365 Pediatric Cancer Fund presented by Twice Daily is an initiative from the Nashville Predators Foundation and Rinne that works with Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt to raise funds and awareness for cancer research.

Game 4 and act two in Dallas serves as a swing game between the Predators and Stars, with Nashville holding a 2-1 series lead (tonight at 7 p.m. CT).

A 40-save performance from Pekka Rinne helped the Preds steal Game 3 by a 3-2 final score. Mikael Granlund scored the game-winner for Nashville, who won their second straight in the series to rebound from a Game 1 loss. Game 3 marked Miikka Salomaki's first time in the Nashville lineup since Jan. 4, with Brian Boyle and Wayne Simmonds both out and week-to-week. 

Nashville held a full morning skate on Wednesday at American Airlines Center. Below is a Preds projected lineup based on the session:

The Predators have a chance to take a commanding lead in their Round One series tonight in Dallas with Game 4 against the Stars set for a 7 p.m. (CT) start.

Nashville has won two-straight contests after falling in Game 1, including a 3-2 victory on Monday night at American Airlines Center behind a 40-save performance from goaltender Pekka Rinne.

While the Preds were certainly, impressed with their goaltender's efforts, the message on Tuesday was they simply have to be better in front of him for a chance to take two in Dallas.

[Read More: Preds Projected Lineup for Game 4]

[Read More: Best Quotes from the Preds Ahead of Game 4]

[Photos: Preds Travel to Dallas as Round One Series Continues]

Mikael Granlund could have gone on and on and on if he wanted to.

Perhaps he would've chosen to describe what he saw from his view approximately 100 feet away, a blue and Gold clad pad seemingly emerge from out of nowhere to rob the Stars of what looked like a sure 3-2 lead.

Maybe he would've taken a more cerebral approach to explain how he's quickly come to know his fellow Finn as the backbone of this hockey club, moments like that stop of Stars Captain Jamie Benn solidifying that stance.

Instead, the Predators winger, his blond locks still damp from perspiration - moments after scoring what proved to be the game-winner on Monday night in Dallas, a 3-2 result in favor of the visitors - chose the simple approach.

"Yeah," Granlund started with a smirk, "he's a pretty good goalie."

Rocco Grimaldi started it, Filip Forsberg continued it, Mikael Granlund clinched it and Pekka Rinne saved the night.

Three goals and the save of the series led the Nashville Predators to a 3-2 victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 3 on Monday night. The result gives the Preds consecutive wins and a 2-1 lead in Round One.

The Predators say Game 3 didn't showcase their best - Dallas outshot Nashville by a 42-28 margin and came back from a 2-0 deficit, but Rinne stopped 40 on the night, and Granlund's seeing-eye shot found a way to steal one in Texas.