Predators @ Sabres

Who will WIN this matchup?

Nashville Predators (14-10-5)

@ Buffalo Sabres (15-11-6)

Starting Goalies:

Pekka Rinne (NSH): Unconfirmed

Linus Ullmark (BUF): Unconfirmed

Current odds:

Nashville Predators: (-125)

Buffalo Sabres: (+105)

• The Buffalo Sabres and Nashville Predators each have stumbled through a six-game losing streak this season but are slowly getting back on track with two straight wins apiece. The Sabres have climbed back into second place in the Atlantic Division and will look to continue their strong play at home when they face the Predators on Thursday night.
Captain Jack Eichel, in the midst of a torrid stretch for Buffalo, attributed the improved play to adapting to the style of first-year coach Ralph Krueger. “I think we’re starting to form an identity of our group and I think with the confidence Ralph has instilled in us and the way he wants us to play, it’s evident the way we need to play every night to give ourselves a chance to win,” Eichel said following Tuesday’s 5-2 win over reigning Stanley Cup champion St. Louis.

• The Predators are sitting only three points out of the cellar of the ultra-competitive Central Division as they kick off a rugged stretch in which they play five of their next six away from home. “We are obviously not happy with where we are in the standings, and we need to put together some wins,” Nashville captain Roman Josi said after Tuesday’s 3-1 victory over San Jose. “We’ve done a good job lately.”

• Nick Bonino has scored in back-to-back games to take over the team lead with 12 goals — 10 shy of his career high with Anaheim in 2013-14. “Obviously the scoring this year is great, but there’s so many little things (he) does,” Josi said of Bonino. “Every time he’s out there, you know he’s doing his job. He wins faceoffs, he’s great defensively, he’s great offensively. He kind of does it all for us.” Filip Forsberg had two assists Tuesday and has four goals in eight games versus Buffalo.

• Eichel is riding a career-best 14-game point streak — one shy of matching Chicago’s Patrick Kane for the longest in the NHL this season — after scoring a pair of goals, including the go-ahead tally against St. Louis. Eichel’s previous career high is 28 goals set in 2018-19, but he already is at 20 on the season after scoring 12 times and collecting 13 assists during his searing point string. Eichel has scored three times to go along with six assists in eight matchups against Nashville.

• Sabres D Rasmus Dahlin (concussion), out the past eight games, practiced Wednesday and could return versus Nashville.

• Predators G Pekka Rinne is 6-2-0 with a 1.82 goals-against average and three shutouts versus Buffalo.

• Sabres rookie F Victor Olofsson has multiple points in four of his last five games.