NHLBAM3_1NSHvsWPGPreview2

Just three days after the Predators saw one forward make his Nashville debut, another looks to do the same tonight in Manitoba against the Winnipeg Jets at Bell MTS Place. The contest will be a battle for first place in the Central Division, and it's the third of four meetings between the divisional rivals this season. The Preds will visit the Jets twice this month after splitting the first two outings.
Tonight also marks Nashville's first visit to Winnipeg since a Game 6 victory in Round Two of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Mikael Granlund is expected to make his Predators debut this evening after being acquired by Nashville at Monday's Trade Deadline from Minnesota. Granlund missed Tuesday's game in St. Louis due to his fiancée giving birth, but skated in practice on Thursday and couldn't be happier to be with his new teammates.
\[Read More: Predators Projected Lineup at Jets\]
\[Read More: After Whirlwind Week, Granlund Ready to Be Special for Preds\]

"Everybody's healthy back home and everything went well," Granlund said. "It was easy to come here and now you just start playing with your new teammates and new team. That's the easiest way is to just go out and play, and I'm really excited to be here."
Nashville's other deadline acquisition, Wayne Simmonds, participated in Tuesday's game, and the power forward will now get his first chance to face the Jets, a team that could ultimately be on the docket more than just two more times in the coming months.
"I'm not afraid to stand up for my teammates, but at the same time, I've got a little bit of offensive skill to go with it," Simmonds said. "I'm a team-first guy, very selfless, and just looking to add to this team and help us win a championship."
Forward Brian Boyle missed Thursday's practice with a maintenance day. Forward Craig Smith was also absent and remains on Injured Reserve with a lower-body injury.

Simmonds, Granlund log first practice with the Preds

Last Time Out:
Goaltender Juuse Saros made 43 saves for the Predators as they fell by a 2-0 final on Tuesday in St. Louis. Ryan Johansen continues to lead the club with 53 points, followed by Roman Josi with 51 and Mattias Ekholm with 41. Viktor Arvidsson has 26 goals on the season, followed by Filip Forsberg with 21. Granlund's 49 points on the season would slot him third on the team in scoring; Simmonds has 16 goals and 27 points on the campaign.
The Opposition:
The Jets won just four of their 12 outings in the month of February and have dropped five of their last six, including a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Minnesota on Tuesday. Blake Wheeler leads Winnipeg with 73 points, followed by Mark Scheifele with 69 points and Kyle Connor with 49. Scheifele has 31 goals on the season, Patrick Laine has 29 and Connor has 24. Connor Hellebuyck is 27-18-2 in net for the Jets.

Laviolette previews battle for first in the Central

All-Time Meetings:
Nashville is 24-13-(1)-4 all-time against the Jets franchise, including a 9-6-(1)-4 record on the road. Overall, Nashville has earned at least a point in five of its last seven meetings with Winnipeg, including a 3-1-1 record against the Jets in 2017-18.
The Preds have picked up points in their last two road games against the Jets (1-0-1) and have earned at least a point in four of their last six games at Bell MTS Place (3-2-1).
Notables Versus Winnipeg:
Roman Josi tied the Preds franchise record for assists and points in a game with five on Feb. 27, 2018, at Winnipeg. He has 20 points (3g-17a) in 23 career games versus the Jets.
Ryan Johansen is averaging more than a point per game in his career against Winnipeg, tallying 12 goals and 12 assists for 24 points in 21 games. Filip Forsberg is on a four-game point streak (4a) and has picked up at least one point in seven of his last nine contests against the Jets.
Viktor Arvidsson has tallied a point per game in his 13 career meetings with the Jets (3g-10a).

Predators meet Jets in playoff rematch

Watch & Listen:
Coverage for tonight's contest from Bell MTS Place begins with Predators Live on Fox Sports Tennessee at 6:30 p.m. (CT). Willy Daunic, Chris Mason and Lyndsay Rowley 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. For broadcast information and channel locations throughout the country,
click here
.
If the Predators are playing hockey, you can count on the game being on at Preds Approved Bars & Restaurants. Locations throughout Tennessee may be seen by
clicking here
.
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 App or
Watch on NHL.TV