Vegas @ Nashville preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 15, 2019 ) Nashville 5, Vegas 2

The Nashville Predators have answered a disastrous season-high six-game winless skid (0-5-1) by emerging victorious in both ends of a home-and-home series against the reigning Stanley Cup champions. The Predators hope to feed off that momentum on Wednesday when the Vegas Golden Knights pay a visit to Music City.

"I felt like we played two pretty complete games of great hockey," Nashville forward Ryan Johansen said following Monday's 3-2 shootout win over the St. Louis Blues. "For our team to get back on the winning side of things and to do it against them, it's great. Now it's building off those two wins." The 27-year-old scored for the second time in three games after mustering just seven points -- all assists -- in his previous 15 contests, a stretch that began with the Predators' 5-2 victory over Vegas on Oct. 15. While Nashville has won four of its last five encounters with the Golden Knights, the latter has lost three in a row (0-2-1) and eight of 10 overall (2-6-2) to see its once-promising start reduced to being level with the NHL's version of .500. Paul Stastny celebrated his 900th NHL game on Monday by scoring a goal in a 4-2 setback to red-hot Dallas and resides one point shy of 700 for his career.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountains (Vegas), FS Tennessee (Nashville)

ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS (11-11-4): Vegas failed to cash in on four power-play opportunities in the second period versus the Stars, including a brief 5-on-3 advantage, much to the chagrin of coach Gerard Gallant. "It didn't look sharp at all," Gallant said. "That really hurt us. It's been good all year, but it didn't look sharp (Monday)." Mark Stone, who scored on the power play in the first meeting with Nashville, has recorded five of his 10 goals with the man advantage this season.

ABOUT THE PREDATORS (11-9-3): While Nick Bonino scored for the second time in four games on Monday, the 31-year-old was more concerned about elevating the team in standings as opposed to raising his club co-leading goal total. "We have to string them together now," Bonino said. "Winning one isn't enough. You look at the standings and it's a very tough division." Bonino and Filip Forsberg are tied for the team lead with 10 goals, with both finding the net versus Vegas last month.

OVERTIME

1. Vegas D Shea Theodore has scored a goal in back-to-back games and dented the scoresheet in six of his last eight.

2. Nashville C Kyle Turris has served as a healthy scratch in four straight games.

3. The Golden Knights recalled G Garret Sparks from Chicago of the American Hockey League on Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Predators 4, Golden Knights 2