Predators at Flames
THE STORY: The Nashville Predators dodged a bullet Friday - though the same can't be said for Shea Weber's wallet. The Predators defenseman was hit with a $2,500 fine for a boarding penalty levied Thursday, but wasn't suspended and will be in the lineup Saturday when Nashville visits the Calgary Flames. Weber was given a pair of minor penalties after running Vancouver forward Jannik Hansen into the boards in a 5-1 loss to the Canucks. League disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan told Weber he didn't like the hit, but chose not to suspend him. Weber is one of the league leaders in ice time, and his absence would have crippled a Predators team that is already struggling, having opened the year with just five points through six games. Calgary has the exact same record, though it has recorded points in three of its last four contests.
TV: 4 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Tennessee, Rogers Sportsnet West
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (2-3-1): A four-game losing skid has demolished any momentum Nashville had built following back-to-back victories to open the campaign. Netminder Pekka Rinne was chased from the Vancouver game after allowing four first-period goals, though a few unlucky bounces made his final ledger looked worse than it should have. The Predators come into Saturday afternoon's game the only team in the league to be outshot in every game it has played so far.
ABOUT THE FLAMES (2-3-1): Calgary general manager Jay Feaster would like to win with his current group of players - but he admits that may not be possible. And with 12 players set to become unrestricted free agents in July, Feaster says he will take and make calls throughout the season in an effort to make his team better. One of the players who could be on the block is veteran forward Rene Bourque, who has four years left on a contract that will pay him $4 million this season.
OVERTIME:
1. Nashville has been outshot 204-141 for the season - a major reason why the Predators are a minus-seven in total offense so far.
2. Olli Jokinen saw his season-opening five-game point streak snapped in Thursday's 3-2 overtime loss to the New York Rangers. Jokinen hadn't had a run that long since Nov. 14-23, 2009.