Washington @ Nashville preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 15, 2019 ) Washington 2, Nashville 7

The Washington Capitals recorded their first two wins of the season on the road before failing to hold a third-period lead in both overtime setbacks at home. Coach Todd Reirden's club aims to return to its winning ways away from the nation's capital on Thursday when they open a two-game trek against the Nashville Predators.

Nicklas Backstrom will play in his 900th career game on Thursday, two days removed from setting up defenseman John Carlson's goal in the second period and scoring the tying tally with 31 seconds remaining in the third of Washington's 4-3 overtime loss to Dallas. Backstrom's first goal of the season is the lone one scored in the third period in the last two games by the Capitals, who are mired in an 0-5-1 stretch in their last six games versus the Predators. Offseason acquisition Matt Duchene notched his sixth assist of the season after setting up former Capital Filip Forsberg in Tuesday's 5-2 win over San Jose as Nashville improved to 2-1-0 on its four-game season-opening homestand. "I see what you see -- it looks good," Predators coach Peter Laviolette said of the chemistry between the two. "They seem to find each other in the small areas out there; they seem to think the game the same way.... I think when you put something together you'd like to think it's going to work but you're not always sure. So far, it seems like it's been a good combination."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington, FS Tennessee (Nashville)

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (2-0-2): Evgeny Kuznetsov was in a somber mood despite scoring on his first shot Tuesday after being suspended the first three games for inappropriate conduct. "You know I never care about goals," the 27-year-old Russian said. "I would rather have a win and be happy tomorrow than that goal. But that's kind of nice. I'm not going to lie. It's nice to score right away, especially for me. I never focus on that, and I have to respond right away." Kuznetsov resumed his traditional spot on Washington's power-play unit, but the Capitals failed on all five opportunities against the Stars and are 0-for-11 with the man advantage in the last two games.

ABOUT THE PREDATORS (2-1-0): Duchene, who signed a seven-year, $56 million contract in the summer, was quick to credit both Forsberg and Mikael Granlund for his fast start to the season. "We're all on the same page and that's kind of what it takes," the 28-year-old said. "We don't have anyone that's kind of going on their own page. Those two guys are great to talk to, great guys to toss around ideas with. We're getting some good results right now." Forsberg, who has scored in all three games this season, has erupted for 11 points (six goals, five assists) in nine career games against the team that selected him with the 11th overall pick of the 2012 NHL Draft.

OVERTIME

1. Nashville RW Viktor Arvidsson highlighted his five-point performance (four goals, one assist) in two games versus Washington last season with a hat trick in a 7-2 win on Jan. 15.

2. The Capitals are 1-5-1 in their last seven visits to Music City.

3. Predators G Pekka Rinne owns a 5-1-0 record with a 2.50 goals-against average in his career against Washington.

PREDICTION: Predators 4, Capitals 3