Ottawa @ Nashville preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 19, 2018 ) Ottawa 2, Nashville 5

The Nashville Predators hope the sweet sounds of Music City will alter their recent fortunes when they open a three-game homestand Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators. The Predators were left with a bitter taste in their mouth after surrendering 10 goals en route to dropping both ends of a Western Canadian road trip, but the team has won eight of its last 10 at Bridgestone Arena.

"This team is good at staying within the day. We've done a great job of not looking in the rear-view mirror," Nashville forward Craig Smith said of seeing his team's winless stretch on the road extend to six games (0-5-1) with Saturday's 5-2 setback in Calgary. The 29-year-old scored against the Flames to boost his December point total to four (two goals, two assists) in four games after mustering five (two goals, three assists) in November. While Nashville has lost four of six overall, Ottawa has scored only seven goals during its last four contests (1-2-1) heading into the opener of a three-game road trip. Life away from Canada's capital hasn't been a bowl of cherries for the Senators, who are 3-9-1 on the road this season.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, RDS2, TSN5 (Ottawa), FS Tennessee (Nashville)

ABOUT THE SENATORS (13-14-4): Mark Stone boosted his team-leading goal (15) and point (35) totals after converting a one-timer from Colin White in the first period on Sunday's 2-1 overtime loss to Boston. The 26-year-old has scored four goals and set up three others during his five-game point streak, while White has three points in his last three contests. Craig Anderson, who received a rare night off versus the Bruins, is expected back in net Tuesday and bids to improve upon a 5-9-4 mark with a 3.25 goals-against average in 21 career encounters with the Predators.

ABOUT THE PREDATORS (19-10-1): Captain Roman Josi has set up a goal in three straight games and has 10 assists in his last 12 as attempts to help Nashville locate some much-desired offense in lieu of injuries to Filip Forsberg (team-leading 14 goals), Viktor Arvidsson, Kyle Turris and fellow defenseman P.K. Subban. Colton Sissons has stepped up with goals in back-to-back contests while Ryan Johansen has four points (one goal, three assists) in his last four games. Reigning Vezina Trophy winner Pekka Rinne has fared significantly better at home, posting a 9-3-0 mark with two shutouts and a 1.84 goals-against average.

OVERTIME

1. Ottawa LW Ryan Dzingel set up a pair of goals in a 4-3 overtime victory over Nashville on Feb. 8.

2. The Predators are 8-0-0 against Eastern Conference representatives while the Senators are 3-5-2 versus the West.

3. Ottawa D Thomas Chabot has recorded only nine of his club-best 25 assists on the road.

PREDICTION: Predators 4, Senators 1