Predators at Coyotes
THE STORY: The Nashville Predators are hoping to better their playoff position. The Phoenix Coyotes are simply just trying to qualify for the postseason. The two continue their quests when they face off in Phoenix on Monday. Nashville trails Detroit by four points for fourth place in the Western Conference and home-ice advantage in the first round. The Predators, who are beginning a four-game road trip, are 7-2-1 over their last 10 contests. Phoenix is seventh in the West but only three points ahead of 11th-place San Jose. The Coyotes are 1-0-1 on their three-game homestand and have won eight of their last 11 in the desert.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, FS Tennessee (Predators), FS Arizona Plus (Coyotes)
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (40-21-7): Playing with his brother obviously agrees with Andrei Kostitsyn. Since being acquired from the Montreal Canadiens on Feb. 27, Kostitsyn has registered three goals and three assists in five contests. "Andrei feels comfortable making plays and doing his thing," said defenseman Hal Gill, who was a teammate of Andrei's in Montreal. "He's always been a good player. It's just getting him in the right situation to be that player." Younger brother Sergei appears to be glad with the addition of Andrei as he has collected four points over his last three matches.
ABOUT THE COYOTES (34-25-10): After going 11-0-0 in February, Mike Smith went four games without a victory until he blanked San Jose on Saturday. It was Smith's fifth shutout of the season, two of which were posted against the Sharks. However, he preferred to give the credit to his teammates. "It's a huge, gutsy win for our team," he said. "I know I hadn't played my best this last week and it's a tough time not to play up to your potential. It's been frustrating, but I knew tonight was another big win for our team. When everyone plays like we did tonight, we're a tough team to beat."
OVERTIME:
1. The Coyotes have lost eight of their last 10 meetings with Central Division opponents.
2. Nashville has won two of three on the road following four straight losses.