Blues at Predators
THE STORY: The Nashville Predators are used to chasing the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks in the challenging Central Division. Now, the Predators find themselves looking up at St. Louis as well as they host the division-rival Blues on Saturday night. St. Louis wrapped up a successful five-game homestand Thursday night with a convincing 4-1 victory over the New York Rangers - a result that pushed the club into a tie with Detroit for second in the Central. The Blues have borrowed the Predators' game plan for success, relying on timely scoring and airtight goaltending led by unlikely Vezina Trophy candidate Brian Elliott. That plan hasn't worked out so well for Nashville so far, as the team finds itself mired in fourth place in the division with a goal differential of zero. The Predators have played much better hockey of late, winning four straight games - all by a goal.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Midwest, Fox Sports Tennessee
ABOUT THE BLUES (18-9-3): Elliott's run has been nothing short of unbelievable. Considered an entrenched backup to Jaroslav Halak when the season began, the 26-year-old netminder has had a sensational start to the campaign. He has won 13 of his 15 starts while allowing more than two goals just once. He was at his stingy best against the Rangers, stopping 25 of 26 shots to improve to 3-1-0 in the month of December.
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (16-11-4): When Patric Hornqvist went on a goal-scoring barrage in late October and early November, Nashville looked like it had its go-to goal scorer after years of relying on a balanced attack. Two months later, the team is still looking for that dynamic sniper. Hornqvist has been in a long cold funk, recording just one goal and one assist over his last 16 games. He has nine points in 13 games against St. Louis all-time.
OVERTIME:
1. This is the second meeting of the season between the teams. Nashville prevailed 4-2 in their first encounter on Oct. 8.
2. The Blues have climbed the standings despite owning the league's worst power-play efficiency at just 10.8 percent. Nashville's penalty killing is middle of the pack at 82.7 percent.