San Jose @ Nashville preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 9, 2019 ) Nashville 1, San Jose 2

The Nashville Predators are starting to play better at home while the San Jose Sharks have struggled mightily during the first three contests of their four-game road trip. The Predators look to continue their strong play at Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday when they host the Sharks.

Filip Forsberg joined Nick Bonino in scoring their respective team co-leading 11th goals of the season on Saturday as Nashville skated to a 6-4 victory over New Jersey. Forsberg scored in the Predators' 5-2 victory over San Jose on Oct. 8 and again in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Sharks on Nov. 9 to extend his point streak in the series to seven games (six goals, seven assists). While Nashville has answered an 0-4-1 slide at home with a 2-0-2 stretch, San Jose countered an 11-win November by going 0-3-1 in its last four after dropping a 5-1 decision to Florida on Sunday. "We've just got to tighten up our game," rookie defenseman Mario Ferraro told reporters. "It's not easy on the road. We've had some tough games. But, we've still got a big one in Nashville that we want to make sure we finish off strong."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS California (San Jose), FS Tennessee (Nashville)

ABOUT THE SHARKS (15-15-2): Kevin Labanc scored midway into the first period to end a pair of droughts, as his first goal in 10 games also served as San Jose's first on the power play in its last 24 opportunities. The 23-year-old Labanc dismissed the notion that the Sharks' current road trip is similar to the one the team endured late in October, during which it went 1-3-1. "Not really. That game against Boston (a 5-1 loss to Boston on Oct. 29), we just got completely worked," Labanc said. "(On Sunday) we were working. We just weren't scoring. It (stinks). We're getting a ton of chances. We're just not capitalizing."

ABOUT THE PREDATORS (13-10-5): Nashville's 4-1-2 stretch is music to the ears of Colton Sissons, even if he has been held off the scoresheet in each of the last six games. "I think it just started with more consistent work ethic," the 26-year-old. "We had times where we were kind of feeling good and wanted it a bit easy, and it doesn't come easy anymore. The league is so level nowadays." Former Vezina Trophy recipient Pekka Rinne has flourished at home this season, posting a 7-2-3 mark.

OVERTIME

1. San Jose LW Evander Kane, who leads the team with 13 goals, scored in the first meeting with Nashville this season.

2. Predators C Mikael Granlund skated in practice on Monday as he works his way back from a lower-body injury.

3. Sharks D Brent Burns, who has been held off the scoresheet in eight straight games, scored and set up a goal in the first encounter versus Nashville.

PREDICTION: Sharks 4, Predators 2