Game Day: Stars vs. Preds Preview

They don't get much bigger than this in the regular season.
The Nashville Predators will face the Dallas Stars for the eighth and final time tonight in the 2020-21 campaign, and tonight's contest at Bridgestone Arena will likely go a long way in determining which of those two clubs ultimately secures the fourth and final playoff spot in the Central Division.
With just five games to play in the regular season for the Preds, and six more for Dallas, Nashville's two-point lead over the Stars continues to hold for now. If the Predators can add a fifth win over their rivals this season, they'll see their playoff chances increase significantly, and while a victory tonight doesn't guarantee anything, it would certainly help the Preds in their pursuit.
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\[Read More: Preds Projected Lineup vs. Dallas\]
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"Dallas is a team that we've built a rivalry with over the years, and it's a big moment for our guys," Preds centerman Ryan Johansen said. "[It's a big moment for] myself and our young guys to go out there and have a big impact on this game that could be a difference maker in making the playoffs or not. We're pumped up."
"Every game is huge, but obviously playing Dallas straight up [tonight, it's big]," Preds Captain Roman Josi said. "It's a big game, and it's a lot of fun because we know it's going to be a playoff intensity game and we're excited for it."
After two days largely spent away from the rink during a rare three-day stretch between games, the Predators were back on the ice at practice on Friday, and there was some encouraging news on the injury front.
Preds forward Filip Forsberg participated fully in the session, and he is now considered day-to-day. Defenseman Dante Fabbro and Alexandre Carrier have also been upgraded to a day-to-day status, although forward Viktor Arvidsson is now also day-to-day following Tuesday's game against the Panthers.
Predators Head Coach John Hynes did not have an update as to whether any of the players considered day-to-day could play tonight against the Stars, but their respective returns could likely come soon.

The Good Guys:
The Predators completed a back-to-back set against the Panthers on Monday and Tuesday and followed a 4-1 win with a 7-4 loss in their most recent outing. Ryan Ellis scored twice on Tuesday, while Luke Kunin and Tanner Jeannot both added a goal as well. Juuse Saros started in each of the back-to-back games and posted his career-high 18th win of the season on Monday.
Roman Josi leads the team with 31 points (6g-25a), followed by Forsberg (day-to-day) with 29 points (11g-18a), and then a three-way tie follows with Mikael Granlund (13g-12a), Calle Jarnkrok (12g-13a) and Arvidsson (10g-15a) each owning 25 points apiece. Eeli Tolvanen has 11 goals and 21 points on the season; Mattias Ekholm (6g-15a) also has 21 points. Saros is 18-10-1 overall for Nashville, while Pekka Rinne is 9-12-1.
The Opposition:
The Stars remain two points behind the Preds and have lost two straight after winning six of their previous seven games. Tonight marks the second of a seven-game road trip to finish the regular season for Dallas.
Joe Pavelski leads the Stars with 44 points (21g-23a), followed by Jason Robertson with 40 points (15g-25a) and Roope Hintz with 38 points (14g-24a). Jamie Benn and Dennis Gurianov have each tallied 11 times for the Stars. Anton Khudobin is 11-10-6 in net for Dallas; Jake Oettinger is 10-7-6 on the season.

All-Time Meetings:
The Predators are 44-45-(1)-5 all-time against the Stars, including a 28-17-(1)-2 record at Bridgestone Arena. Nashville has won four of its last five over Dallas - all coming in either overtime or a shootout - after dropping its first two meetings this season.
The Preds have earned at least a point in 15 of their last 22 games vs. Dallas (14-7-1), and Nashville has scored at least four goals (including the shootout winner) in 10 of its last 16 victories over Dallas.
Notables Versus Dallas:
Juuse Saros is 8-3-1 in his career vs. Dallas, posting two shutouts, a 2.45 goals-against average and .920 save percentage in 12 career games against the Stars.
Eeli Tolvanen leads the Predators in points against Dallas this season with seven (3g-4a). He recorded his first career three-point game (1g-2a) on March 21 at Dallas. Mikael Granlund has 27 points (9g-18a) in 35 career contests vs. Dallas; he recorded an individual 12-game point streak (3g-14a) against the Stars from Oct. 29, 2016-Feb. 1, 2019.
Viktor Arvidsson has five points (5a) in his last nine games vs. the Stars; he has 19 points (6g-13a) in 29 career games against Dallas. Roman Josi owns 30 career points (11g-19a) vs. the Stars, his second-most against a single opponent in his NHL career.
When You Go:
Protective masks are required to be worn appropriately over the nose and mouth at all times inside venues, unless actively eating or drinking in designated locations. (Face coverings must be worn in all areas and can only be removed while actively eating or drinking. Face coverings must be worn while standing, waiting or sitting in dining locations. When food is in hand and actively being consumed, the face covering may be removed. Guests holding beverages are asked to wear a facial covering between each sip.)

Bridgestone Arena has a no bag policy\. Small, clear bags 9" x 7" x 2" or smaller will be permitted following X-Ray screening. Guests attending events with approved bags may experience longer entry times, for expedited entry please leave bags at home.
\Medical bags and parenting bags will be permitted following X-Ray screening. Backpacks of any kind are not permitted.

Watch & Listen:
Coverage for this evening's 7 p.m. CT puck drop from Nashville begins at 6:30 p.m. CT with the Predators Live! pregame show on Bally Sports South hosted by Lyndsay Rowley and Terry Crisp. Willy Daunic, Chris Mason and Kara Hammer have the call on the television side, while Pete Weber and Hal Gill will broadcast on 102.5 The Game and the Predators Radio Network. Pregame coverage on the radio begins at 6 p.m. For broadcast information and channel locations throughout the country,
click here
.
*
All of Bally Sports South's channel locations and programming remains the same
, just with a new network.
Streaming Info:
Listen to a Live Radio Feed
(only active during the game broadcast window).
Watch a Live Stream of the game
on the Fox Sports Go App or
Watch on NHL.TV