Predators at Sabres
The Nashville Predators, the first team to officially qualify for the postseason, continue the quest for their first Presidents' Trophy when they visit the Buffalo Sabres on Monday. Nashville, which owns a two-point lead over Tampa Bay in the race for first overall in the NHL, looks to complete a perfect three-game road trip after posting victories in Arizona and Colorado on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
Filip Forsberg and Colton Sissons scored two goals apiece in the 4-2 triumph over the Avalanche as the Predators extended their point streak to a franchise record-tying 14 games (13-0-1). Forsberg snapped a five-game drought to reach the 20-goal plateau for the fourth consecutive season for Nashville, which hasn't lost in regulation since dropping a 3-1 decision to Detroit on Feb. 17. Buffalo is midway through a six-game homestand during which it is 1-1-1 after posting a 5-3 win over Chicago on Saturday. Jack Eichel notched an assist in his return from a high-ankle sprain that cost him 15 games as the Sabres moved one point ahead of Arizona, which sits in the league basement.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Tennessee (Nashville), MSG (Buffalo)
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (47-14-10): Sissons' first two-goal performance of the season gave him nine tallies this campaign, eclipsing his previous high of eight set in 2016-17. Forsberg leads the team in power-play goals, as half of his tallies on the season have come with the man advantage. Nashville needs seven points over its final 11 games to break the franchise record of 110 set in 2006-07.
ABOUT THE SABRES (23-36-12): Right wing Kyle Okposo is expected to be in the lineup Monday after missing three games with a concussion. "I think we should expect to see Kyle, depending on today and how he handled the practice," coach Phil Housley told the team's website on Sunday. "All signs look like a go, but we'll evaluate that (on Monday)." Forward Zemgus Girgensons, who is two points away from 100 in the NHL but has recorded just one in his last 14 contests, suffered an undisclosed injury against the Blackhawks and is day-to-day.
OVERTIME
1. Eichel, who hadn't played since Feb. 10, is three assists shy of 100 for his career.
2. Nashville has earned at least one point in a franchise-record 14 straight road games (11-0-3).
3. Buffalo assigned RW Justin Bailey to Rochester of the American Hockey League on Sunday.