Predators at Flames
The Nashville Predators are looking like a team bent on making a return to the Stanley Cup Finals, winning five of the first six games this season. The only blemish for the Predators is a loss in their home opener, but they'll get a chance to avenge that defeat in the first leg of a two-game Alberta road trip at the Calgary Flames on Friday night.
"At the end of the day, we know how we need to play to have success against these kinds of teams, but it's a good test for the group," Predators defenseman Yannick Weber said of the back-to-back against Calgary on Friday and Edmonton the following night. Nashville responded to that loss to the Flames by ripping off three straight victories -- all at home -- and will have three days off since knocking off the Minnesota Wild 4-2 on Monday night. Calgary had a statement win in only its second home game of the year, snapping the Boston Bruins' four-game winning streak with a 5-2 victory Wednesday. The Flames got a scare when star forward Johnny Gaudreau exited the game and went into the league's concussion protocol but Sportsnet reported that he was feeling "no significant effects" Thursday.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Tennessee (Nashville), Sportsnet 360 (Calgary)
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (5-1-0): Coach Peter Laviolette praised his fourth line of Colton Sissons, Zac Rinaldo and Miikka Salomaki, who are often matched up against the opposition's No. 1 line. "That's something that I pride myself in, and I'm always up to that challenge, whoever I need to go play against," Sissons said. "If I need to shut down a top line or go head-to-head against another team's fourth line, whatever challenge arises, I'm game with it." Filip Forsberg scored his team-high fourth goal against the Wild and Ryan Johansen collected a pair of assists to match Forsberg for the team lead with six points.
ABOUT THE FLAMES (4-2-0): While Gaudreau reached a milestone with the 100th goal of his career in Wednesday's win, veteran forward Michael Frolik returned to the lineup following a one-game scratch to score twice against the Bruins. Calgary has scored at least three goals in each game since a season-opening 5-2 loss at Vancouver. "I like the fact we have the ability to generate offense. Now, we'll work on other things," Flames coach Bill Peters said. "We're not quite there defensively or (with) our play away from the puck in the neutral zone, but when we get there, we'll be a much better team."
OVERTIME
1. Gaudreau, who is tied for the team lead with nine points, has three goals and 15 assists in 13 games versus Nashville.
2. Predators F Viktor Arvidsson has yet to score but has seven assists in 10 games against Calgary.
3. Flames G Mike Smith had 43 saves against the Predators on Oct. 9 for his 37th career shutout.