Sabres at Predators
The Nashville Predators are closing in on the top seed in the Western Conference and trying to maintain their slim lead in the race for the Presidents' Trophy. Two nights after setting a franchise record for points in a season with 111, Nashville looks to pad its cushion when it hosts the NHL-worst Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night.
The Predators became the second team to 50 wins this season with Thursday's 5-3 victory over San Jose, improving to 16-2-2 in their last 20 games to eclipse the previous franchise point record set in 2006-07. "This is just part of where we are trying to get to," Nashville coach Peter Laviolette said. "I think that they understand that the more we win, the better chance we have at securing home ice." With a rugged three-game road trip following Saturday's matchup, the Predators cannot afford to overlook the Sabres, a team they blanked 4-0 in Buffalo on March 19. Buffalo has lost five of six overall but won its last two visits to Music City.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, TVAS, MSG-Buffalo, FS Tennessee (Nashville)
ABOUT THE SABRES (24-41-12): Despite sitting out five weeks with an ankle injury, former No. 2 overall pick Jack Eichel established a career high for goals with 25 after scoring three times in the last two games. Eichel, who needs one point to eclipse last season's career-best total of 57, has enjoyed success against the Predators with three goals and one assist in five matchups. Goaltender Robin Lehner exited Thursday's loss in Detroit due to an injury and Chad Johnson is expected to get the start versus Nashville.
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (50-16-11): Saturday could mark the debut of 2017 first-round draft pick Eeli Tolvanen, who signed a three-year deal Thursday and is coming off a 19-goal, 36-point season in Russia's KHL. “Ninety-nine percent of the time, there’s always a huge adjustment for anybody coming into the league,” general manager David Poile said. “This player seems to defy the odds in everything that he’s done.” Filip Forsberg has nine points in his last seven games, including a goal and an assist at Buffalo.
OVERTIME
1. Nashville can set a franchise record for most wins in a month with 12 by beating Buffalo.
2. Sabres head coach Phil Housley was an assistant with the Predators for four seasons (2013-17).
3. Predators F Viktor Arvidsson has scored three times in five games and is one shy of his second straight 30-goal campaign.