Dallas @ Nashville preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 2, 2019 ) Dallas 3, Nashville 1

The Dallas Stars try for their first six-game winning streak since 2012 when they visit the Nashville Predators on Thursday in the second of three meetings over 18 days. Dallas has a solid grip on third place in the Central Division and is seven points clear for a playoff spot after Monday's 5-4 victory over Arizona as its offense, which is tied for third-worst in the NHL at 2.6 goals per game, has averaged 3.2 in the last five games.

"It's believing in the system, getting confidence and going into third periods finding ways to win hockey games in all kinds of different ways," captain Jamie Benn told reporters after the Stars scored four goals in the final stanza Monday, improving to 2-13-0 when trailing after two. Nashville sits eight points ahead of Dallas and three behind Winnipeg in the Central after Tuesday's 5-2 victory over Arizona gave it four wins in its last five games. The Predators at least temporarily solved their power-play woes by snapping an 0-for-34 drought Tuesday thanks to Filip Forsberg, who told reporters: "We've been having a lot of good looks lately, but at the end of the day, it's about scoring goals and we were fortunate to do that (Tuesday).'' The road team has won the first three of five meetings this season as Dallas prevailed 3-1 on Saturday and 2-0 on Dec. 27 with Anton Khudobin stopping 87 of 88 shots.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), FS Tennessee (Nashville)

ABOUT THE STARS (28-21-4): Tyler Seguin (team-high 50 points) has led the offensive resurgence by scoring four of his club-best 22 goals during a three-game scoring streak - all at even strength. Ben Bishop (19-12-2, 2.30 goals-against average, .924 save percentage) has won four straight starts with his third shutout of the season and a .943 SP during that span. Alexander Radulov (14 goals, 43 points) has an assist in each of the last two games but only four points over his past nine contests while Benn (19 goals, 37 points) recorded two assists Monday, giving him just four points in his last eight.

ABOUT THE PREDATORS (32-19-4): Viktor Arvidsson (team-high 21 goals) hasn't scored in two straight contests for the first time since Dec. 27-29 after totaling 13 goals during a 14-game stretch. Ryan Johansen (club-most 45 points) has a goal and two assists in four contests since returning from a two-game suspension for high-sticking Winnipeg's Mark Scheifele. The team continues to receive an offensive boost from defensemen Roman Josi (41 points) and Mattias Ekholm (38) with the former on pace to match his career high and the latter already setting a career standard.

OVERTIME

1. Nashville on Tuesday acquired C Brian Boyle from New Jersey for a second-round draft pick in June's draft and LW Cody McLeod from the New York Rangers for a seventh-round selection in 2020.

2. Dallas allows the second-fewest goals per game (2.53) behind the New York Islanders (2.37) while Nashville is tied for third with Boston (2.55) entering Wednesday.

3. The Predators have killed 19-of-20 penalties over their last five games while the Stars are 16-of-17 in the same span, and matched a season high with three power-play goals Monday.

PREDICTION: Predators 3, Stars 2