Preds at Stars, Round 1, Game 3: What You Need to Know

The Predators and Stars split the first two games of their first-round series in Nashville, and now things shift to Dallas for a pair, and it begins tonight with Game 3 at American Airlines Center at 8:30 p.m. (CT).
After dropping Game 1 by a 3-2 count, the Preds topped the Stars in overtime in Game 2 courtesy of a tally from Craig Smith five minutes into the extra session.
Nashville was much happier with their effort in Game 2, as opposed to the first outing, thanks in large part to a consistent effort over the course of the 65 minutes.
\[Read More: Projected Lineup; Boyle, Simmonds Out 'Week-to-Week'\]
\[Read More: Best Quotes from the Preds Ahead of Game 3\]

"We attacked a lot in the second game and played a more complete 60 minutes, which if you're going to win in the playoffs, it's what you need," Preds Associate Captain Ryan Ellis said. "We defended hard, we counterattacked when we could, and all in all, I think Game 2 was a much better performance by our team."
"The first game, it was a good start for us and we didn't finish very well, but Game 2, I thought it was a little bit more complete," Preds Head Coach Peter Laviolette said. "That's the way you need to play in the playoffs, just that complete effort. There were a lot of positive things we were able to do."
Forward Rocco Grimaldi entered the Nashville lineup in Game 2 after Brian Boyle sat out due to illness. The Predators lost the services of winger Wayne Simmonds in Game 2 after he took a shot off the knee. The status of both Simmonds and Boyle are unknown for Game 3.
Update: Simmonds is week-to-week with a lower-body injury. Boyle underwent an appendix procedure and is also week-to-week.

Last Time Out:
Grimaldi scored the lone Predators tally in regulation, and Smith potted the game-winner in overtime, the first time in his career he's scored a Stanley Cup Playoff OT goal. Pekka Rinne got the win in net for Nashville, stopping 22 Dallas shots.
Both Mattias Ekholm and Calle Jarnkrok have a pair of assists through two games to lead the Preds in scoring. Smith, Grimaldi, Ellis, Boyle, P.K. Subban, Roman Josi, Nick Bonino and Austin Watson all have one point apiece. Subban, Josi, Smith and Grimaldi are the four who have found the back of the net for Nashville.

The Opposition:
Jamie Benn scored the only goal for the Stars in Game 2 giving him two points thus far in the series. Defenseman Miro Heiskanen also has a goal and an assist; Alexander Radulov and Mats Zuccarello have tallied for the Stars. Ben Bishop has been in net for both contests and has given up four goals in total for a .946 save percentage.

Preds vs. Stars Series Notes:
Nashville is 19-33 all-time in road playoff games. The Preds are 11-7 all-time in Game 3, including 1-5 on the road.
Craig Smith joined Jerred Smithson (4/22/11 vs. Anaheim), Matt Halischuk (4/30/11 vs. Vancouver), Mike Fisher (5/5/16 vs. San Jose), Viktor Arvidsson (5/9/16 vs. San Jose), Kevin Fiala (twice: 4/17/17 vs. Chicago and 4/29/18 vs. Winnipeg) and James Neal (5/12/17 vs. Anaheim) as the only players in Preds history to score an overtime playoff goal.
It was Smith's third career game-winning goal in the playoffs, tied with Arvidsson, Neal and David Legwand for the most in team history.

Watch & Listen:
Tonight's game from Dallas comes with an 8:30 p.m. (CT) start time with Predators Live Pregame beginning at 8 p.m. on Fox Sports Tennessee. Fans outside of the home market can view the game on NBCSN in the United States and Sportsnet in Canada. The game can also be heard on 102.5 The Game and the Predators Radio 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 NBC Sports App.