Blue Jackets at Predators
THE STORY: The Nashville Predators are going to experience the NHL's version of "Groundhog Day." After facing the Columbus Blue Jackets and Chicago Blackhawks in their last two outings, Barry Trotz's charges will once again face those same two Central Division rivals on back-to-back nights before heading into the All-Star break. Nashville, which began its two-game winning streak with a 3-0 triumph over Columbus, will host the Blue Jackets on Monday before traveling to Chicago to face the Blackhawks on Tuesday. The Blue Jackets, who have dropped two in a row, certainly got their fill of Pekka Rinne in the last outing. The 29-year-old Finn stopped all 38 shots - including 18 in the third period - as Columbus became the last NHL team to fall victim to a shutout. Rinne has won 10 of his last 11 starts - allowing only 19 goals in the process - and owns a 13-4-1 career mark versus the Blue Jackets.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Columbus), FS Tennessee (Nashville)
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (13-28-6): Defenseman Brett Lebda, who was signed by Columbus on Thursday, may see significant ice time in the wake of the knee injury to fellow blueliner Nikita Nikitin during Saturday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Nikitin, who will miss the next two games, had shown promise after being traded from St. Louis early in the season. Lebda was a healthy scratch Saturday, but will likely make his debut Monday.
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (28-16-4): Nashville posted its 10th win in 12 outings with a 5-2 victory over Chicago on Saturday. Sergei Kostitsyn found himself on the scoresheet despite registering only one shot. In fact, the Belarusian has collected seven goals on 10 shots this month. Kostitsyn failed to record a shot in Thursday's victory over the Blue Jackets, but had an assist.
OVERTIME:
1. Despite playing in arguably the toughest division in the NHL, Nashville has posted a 9-2-2 mark versus its Central Division foes this season. The Predators sit in fourth place in the division - and sixth in the Western Conference.
2. Columbus general manager Scott Howson said right wing R.J. Umberger (concussion) could play in his team's final two games before the All-Star break. Off-season acquisition Jeff Carter (shoulder) could return soon after, Howson said.