Predators at Sharks
THE STORY: The Nashville Predators continue their four-game road trip Thursday against the slumping San Jose Sharks. Nashville, which is 8-2-1 in its last 11, has won three of four on the road and earned at least one point in six of seven against the Sharks (4-1-2). San Jose has lost three straight at home and eight of 10 overall, a stretch that has dropped them to ninth place in the Western Conference, two points behind the Colorado Avalanche.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FSN Tennessee (Nashville), CSN California (San Jose)
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (41-21-7): Nashville began its road trip with a shootout win at Phoenix on Monday. Despite their recent success against San Jose, the Predators have lost 15 of the last 22 meetings between the clubs. Pekka Rinne enters with a three-game winning streak and victories in six of his last seven starts. Rinne leads the league with 39 wins.
ABOUT THE SHARKS (34-25-10): San Jose has lost 10 of 11 against Western Conference teams and five consecutive meetings with Central Division opponents. The Sharks signed right wing Sebastian Stalberg to a two-year contract Wednesday. The 21-year old led the University of Vermont in goals (12), assists (19) and points (31) as a junior this campaign. He is the brother of Chicago's Viktor Stalberg
OVERTIME:
1. San Jose's Joe Pavelski has scored four goals in three meetings with Nashville but just two in his last 15 overall contests.
2. The Predators are 7-19-1 in their last 27 visits to HP Pavilion.