Projected Lineup: Ducks vs. Predators
Pollock Printing Projected Lineup: Predators to Play Two Home Games Prior to Break
by Thomas Willis @TomAWillis / Director of Digital & Radio Content
The Predators will play two home games prior to the bye week and All-Star Break, starting tonight when they host the Ducks (at 7 p.m. CT).
Nashville (21-17-7) won two of three games on their recent road trip, but fell to the Edmonton Oilers in the trip's finale, 4-2. Defenseman Dante Fabbro returned to the lineup after a five-game absence. The Preds will play at home on Thursday and Saturday, with a chance to close the gap between their current standing and the Western Conference's final playoff spot. After Saturday, the Preds next home game will be on Monday, Jan. 27 (against the Toronto Maple Leafs).
The Ducks (17-24-5) last won a game when they hosted the Preds on Jan. 5 and prevailed in a shootout; they've lost four in a row. Anaheim has been in Nashville the last two days practicing at Bridgestone Arena. The teams have split two meetings this season going into tonight's finale.
The Predators held a full morning skate at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday. Below is a Preds projected lineup based on the session:
Forwards
Calle Jarnkrok - Ryan Johansen - Craig Smith
Filip Forsberg - Matt Duchene - Mikael Granlund
Rocco Grimaldi - Nick Bonino - Viktor Arvidsson
Yakov Trenin - Kyle Turris - Colin Blackwell
Defense
Roman Josi - Dante Fabbro
Dan Hamhuis - Mattias Ekholm
Yannick Weber - Jarred Tinordi
Goaltenders
Juuse Saros
Pekka Rinne
Note: The Predators have not announced a starting goaltender for tonight's game