Predators aim to halt modest home slide in clash vs. Lightning

Although the Nashville Predators have played well for the last three weeks, they find themselves in a slight rut at home.

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning continue to struggle on the road.

The Predators can avoid a season-high third straight home defeat by handing the Lightning their fourth consecutive loss on the road Thursday night.

Potential issues at home aside, Nashville has won eight of its last 10 games.

"This is a crucial time of year," Predators coach Andrew Brunette said after Tuesday's 4-3 shootout victory at Chicago.

"The last (10) games, I thought we've played really well, and we're turning in the right direction. We go home and play a tough opponent in Tampa, and we'll be ready to play."

Perhaps the only blemishes over the last 10 games for the Predators are those consecutive home losses to Minnesota and the New York Rangers.

While the Lightning have won five straight against Nashville -- including a 5-3 win to open the season -- they've been outscored 15-3 during their current three-game road skid. Tampa Bay, which is 4-7-2 away from home this season, has one goal in each of its last three road contests.

However, the Lightning will aim for a third consecutive victory overall following Monday's 4-0 home win over Dallas and a 3-1 triumph against the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday. Nikita Kucherov collected a goal and an assist on Wednesday to extend his point streak to 11 games (six goals, 15 assists).

"Just play from the first minute and try to play consistent throughout the game," Kucherov said. "When you follow the plan, you have a good chance to win. We did that the last couple of days."

Kucherov scored twice and Jonas Johansson stopped 28 shots in the win over the Predators this season. After Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 49 of 50 shots in winning each of Tampa Bay's last two games, Johansson -- owner of a 3.50 goals-against average while going 2-1-1 in his last four starts -- again could get the start vs. Nashville.

Nashville's Juuse Saros made 29 saves against the Lightning this season and has a 2.66 goals-against average while winning six of his last seven starts. Meanwhile, backup Kevin Lankinen stopped a combined 35 of 41 shots while losing each of the Predators' last two home games.

Nashville's Ryan O'Reilly scored and set up a goal and Filip Forsberg recorded two assists against the Lightning in October. O'Reilly has five goals with six assists in the last 12 games. Forsberg, meanwhile, owns a team-leading totals in goals (13), assists (16) and points (29) but has been blanked in each of the last two home games.

After being a healthy scratch the previous two games, reportedly disgruntled Nashville defenseman Tyson Barrie was back in the lineup Tuesday and notched an assist for his 500th career point. Barrie, who posted 55 points while splitting time between Edmonton and Nashville last season, has 10 assists spanning 23 games in 2023-24.