Stars vs Predators Preview

Dallas Stars at Nashville Predators

Thursday, January 8, 2015

7:00 PM

TV: Fox Sports Southwest

Radio: The Ticket 1310 AM/96.7 FM

Records: Stars 18-15-6, 42 points; Predators 26-9-4, 56 pts.

About The Stars

Dallas lost for only the second time in regulation since Dec. 13 on Tuesday, falling 4-2 on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Stars are 4-2-1 in their past seven games and entered Wednesday five points out of a wild-card spot. Right wing Ales Hemsky has three goals in his past five games. Dallas is 9-7-1 on the road, 12-9-5 against the Western Conference, and 2-7-4 against the Central Division.

Forward Shawn Horcoff who missed the past four games due to illness, practiced Wednesday and is

ready to return to the lineup. Goalie Kari Lehtonen has not lost in regulation in his past five games (4-0-1). He played 12 consecutive games until goalie Anders Lindback played Tuesday.

Injuries: RW Patrick Eaves (ankle), RW Valeri Nichushkin (hip) and D Patrik Nemeth (arm) are out.

About The Predators

Central-division leading Nashville rallied for three goals in the third period Tuesday for a 3-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. It was the Predators’ third victory in four games. Filip Forsberg leads Nashville with 14 goals, Mike Ribeiro has 26 assists and James Neal has 118 shots on goal.

Goalie Pekka Rinne will be starting in net for the Predators. He leads the league with 26 wins, four ahead of Montreal’s Carey Price. Rinne is third in the league in goals-against average (2.00) and shutouts (3) and is fourth in save percentage (.929).

Injuries: RW James Neal (lower body injury) is day to day. Matt Cullen (upper body injury) and Taylor Beck (illness) are out for the game.