Oilers at Predators
THE STORY: The Nashville Predators’ playoff push received a shot in the arm with Russian superstar Alexander Radulov set to rejoin the club this week. However, Nashville is not expected to have the two-time Kontinental Hockey League MVP when it hosts Edmonton on Tuesday. The Oilers, who have just two victories in their last six games, have won four of their previous six meetings with the Predators.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, OPPV, FXSM
ABOUT THE OILERS (28-36-8): Second-year sensation Taylor Hall is out with a concussion and could be shut down for the remainder of the schedule. Hall suffered the injury against Calgary on Friday, getting knocked unconscious after colliding with defenseman Cory Sarich along the boards. Hall, who has 27 goals and 26 assists, scored a goal and set up two others in a pair of meetings with Nashville this season.
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (42-22-8): Radulov, who left the team in 2008, is scheduled to join Nashville Tuesday and will likely debut in Thursday’s game against Pittsburgh. The 25-year-old forward was considered the best player not in the NHL and had 63 points – 25 goals – in 50 games with KHL club Salavat Yulayev this season. He was originally drafted by the Predators with the 15th overall pick in 2004. Nashville could use some scoring help, netting only six goals in the last three games (1-1-1).
OVERTIME:
1. After being outscored 6-1 in the third period through the first three stops of their four-game road trip, the Predators scored all three goals in the final frame of a 3-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks.
2. Edmonton has come away with only three wins in its last 12 trips to Nashville, but posted a 6-2 beating of the Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 22, 2011.
3. The Oilers are 9-9-0 versus teams from the Central Division.