Sharks at Predators
The Nashville Predators are sitting atop the Central Division and within striking distance of the best record in the league as they prepare to host the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night. The Sharks arrive in Nashville on a three-game winning streak, but they have dropped four in a row and 10 of their last 11 at Bridgestone Arena, playoffs included.
The Predators reclaimed sole possession of first place in the division by sweeping a back-to-back against Ottawa and Detroit on Monday and Tuesday to improve to 7-2-2 over the past 11 games. "Now we have to go back and play two home games and make them count," Nashville forward Viktor Arvidsson said after he scored twice in the 3-2 win over the Red Wings. Holding down second place in the Pacific Division, San Jose opened its four-game road trip -- all against Central opponents -- with a 3-2 win at St. Louis to improve to 4-1-0 away from home this month. "It didn't clinch us a playoff spot ... but it obviously was important and we wanted to start this road trip out the right way," Sharks coach Peter DeBoer said after his team won for the fifth time in six games.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS California (San Jose), FS Tennessee (Nashville)
ABOUT THE SHARKS (33-19-8): Mikkel Boedker continued his red-hot tear, scoring once and setting up another tally in the win over St. Louis to extend his goals (five) and points (seven) streaks to four games. "When you're on a roll, the puck seems to find you a little bit," Boedker said. "It feels really good. Obviously, it's a good time of the year to be productive." Fellow forward Logan Couture has been productive in his own right after matching Boedker by scoring his team-leading 24th goal and adding an assist against the Blues.
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (36-14-9): Arvidsson, who erupted for a career-best 31 goals last season, netted his 21st goal against Detroit after scoring twice and uncorking a season-high nine shots on goal in the victory over Ottawa. "The last two games, I think our line has been a lot better and we're playing with a lot of confidence," Nashville's Ryan Johansen said. "Arvie has been a huge factor in that, because he's been making plays all over the ice lately." Arvidsson has nine goals and 15 points in the last 16 games.
OVERTIME
1. The Sharks recalled F Eric Fehr, who was acquired from Toronto on Tuesday.
2. Predators G Pekka Rinne is 11-7-4 with a 1.96 goals-against average versus the Sharks.
3. San Jose is 0-for-13 on the power play in the past six games.