Game Day: Oilers vs. Preds

After defeating the League-leading Washington Capitals on Saturday, the Nashville Predators are right back at it this afternoon as they host the Edmonton Oilers at Bridgestone Arena. The Preds are going for the season sweep of Edmonton today; Nashville has defeated the Oilers twice this season, once on the road and earlier this month at home.
Roman Josi scored twice on Saturday in Nashville's win over Washington, and Filip Forsberg added a goal and two assists on the day. Mike Fisher and Viktor Arvidsson also scored, and goaltender Juuse Saros stopped 24 shots on the way to his seventh victory of the season.
Ryan Johansen continues to lead the Preds with 37 assists and 46 points, followed by Forsberg with 45 points and Arvidsson with 43. Forsberg's 23 goals are tops on the team, and Arvidsson has also hit the 20-goal mark. Pekka Rinne owns a 23-15-6 mark this season for Nashville; Saros is 7-5-3.

Edmonton (33-21-8) most recently fell 2-1 to Washington on Friday night and are 5-5-0 in their last 10 outings. Connor McDavid continues to lead the team - and the NHL - in points with 69, including 20 goals. Leon Draisaitl has 23 goals and 54 points on the season, and Patrick Maroon has tallied 20 times. Netminder Cam Talbot has started 55 games for the Oilers, going 31-17-7.
As the Preds complete a back-to-back and go for the season sweep of Edmonton, here are three things to watch for:
Not Slowing Down:
He didn't have a hat trick on Saturday for the first time in two games, but Filip Forsberg still factored into the win over Washington, recording a goal and two helpers for a three-point outing. Forsberg has recorded three points in each of his last three games (7g-2a) and is on a three-game goal streak and four-game point streak, matching season highs. The Swede leads the League in goals (20) since Dec. 19. He is the first NHL player to tally seven goals in a three-game span since February, 2011.

Defense into Offense:
Preds defenseman Roman Josi tallied twice on Saturday against Washington and recorded his second multi-goal game in his last six contests. He has earned at least one point in eight of his last nine games, and owns 12 points (6g-6a) in those nine outings.

It's In the Numbers:
It hasn't been easy for the Oilers over the last few seasons when they meet the Preds; Nashville has won eight consecutive games against Edmonton and outscored the Oilers, 21-8, in those contests.
A big reason for that is the man who could get the nod in net this afternoon. Head Coach Peter Laviolette saved Pekka Rinne for the Oilers already on a back-to-back set this season, and that could be the case again today. Rinne has won eight consecutive games against the Oilers and recorded three shutouts in that span. He has posted a 0.98 goals-against average and .966 save percentage in those contests and saved 227 of 235 shots faced. Rinne has not allowed more than two goals in any of those eight starts.
When You Go:
The festivities begin at 2 p.m. CT this afternoon on the Bridgestone Arena plaza with a Plaza Party presented by Lee Company prior to the 4 p.m. start. Doors to the arena will open at 2:30 p.m.
It's also Hockey Fights Cancer Day in Smashville and fans will have the opportunity to take part in a silent auction for lavender pregame skate jerseys and other specialty items, with all proceeds benefiting the 365 Pediatric Research Fund at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt.
Take It In:
Pregame coverage for today's afternoon tilt begins at 3:30 p.m. CT on Fox Sports Tennessee; radio coverage start at 3 p.m. on 102.5 The Game and the Predators Radio Network.