Predators Lineup Changes Ahead of Stars Game Tonight

Brunette hopes that reuniting Gurianov with Afanasyev and Jankowski, who were teammates in Milwaukee for 30 games this season, may spark something for the line offensively. 

"They have maybe a little chemistry with Janko and Egor by being down there, so maybe we can capture a little bit of that," Brunette said. 

One line that won't change is Nashville's top line of Filip Forsberg, Ryan O'Reilly, and Gus Nyquist. The three have combined for six goals and eight assists in Nashville's three previous meetings with Dallas. 

"When we get engaged physically and play heavy down low, when we do that as a line I think our game comes," O'Reilly said. 

"When we're tight supporting each other is another big thing, too. Both sides of the puck, but when we're tight and connected we make little plays and create offense from there."

"There's a lot of good players over there too that we have to play hard against, but when we do get that puck we want to hold on to it and be close support and have good structure," O'Reilly said.

Tonight with be Afanasyev's second game with the Predators this season. 

"I'm focusing a lot on the play with the puck, to have it on my stick a lot, and making moments where high scoring chances," Afanasyev said. "Just getting to those grade A areas."

Defensemen Roman Josi and Ryan McDonagh know a key to success against the Stars will be owning the net front space. 

"They do a good job net front. That's something we talked about," McDonagh said. "They've got a lot of big guys that tip pucks into second and third opportunities."

"They are a really heavy team, they're a physical team," Josi said. "They're really good in front of our net. That's one thing we didn't like about our New Jersey game. They had way too much time in front of our net, so that's one thing we've got to do tonight."

Juuse Saros will get the start in net tonight for the Predators. 

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm CT. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and HULU and 102.5 The Game will have the radio call.