NASHVILLE - In the final game of their three-game road trip, the Ducks will take on the Nashville Predators. The Ducks hope to salvage something from this road trip after a lackluster effort against the St. Louis Blues on Sunday and a tough overtime loss to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday.

The Predators faced Anaheim less than a week ago at Honda Center, where they lost 2-1. Since then, they have lost three games in a row. Their most recent result was a 4-1 loss to the Blues on Tuesday.

"I don't think we played well that game," Ducks head coach Greg Cronin said, referring to last week's game against the Predators. "Nashville controlled most of the game. We didn't have the same jump that we did in Dallas (during) the second and third periods, so I think we can improve on that, despite the fact that we won."

"That was a greasy game," Ducks forward Ryan Strome said. "I don't think we had our best, but we found a way to win. At this time of year, I think the thing this team has to realize is it's not gonna be back and forth, track meet, pond hockey (every game). Every once in a while, you'll get a one-off. But, 2-1 games, finding ways to clamp it down and get the win. Understanding that getting to the red line and the blue line, getting it deep and getting it out of our zone, those are okay shifts too. It doesn't have to be highlight reels every shift and I think that's just a sign of a growing team."

Cronin shifted things around in the forward lines against the Stars, putting Cutter Gauthier with Strome and Troy Terry, Trevor Zegras with Mason McTavish and Nikita Nesterenko and Frank Vatrano with Leo Carlsson and Alex Killorn. Those changes didn't last very long as Cronin admitted after that game that he only kept things that way halfway through the game before reverting to previously set lines.

It looks like Gauthier will be with Carlsson and Killorn against Nashville, a line that saw some time down the stretch in the Stars game and a line that began the season back in October.

"I think Cutter is taking another step in his game," Cronin said. "I think we envisioned him and Leo early in the year and it's starting to come to fruition."

Nesterenko was not present at morning skate and Cronin did not have an update on him. Defenseman Oliver Kylington skated alongside Zegras and McTavish in his place. Barring a late call-up, Anaheim would have to go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen if Nesterenko is unable to play because they do not have any extra forwards with them on this road trip.

Ducks Projected Lines

Cutter Gauthier - Leo Carlsson - Alex Killorn
Frank Vatrano - Ryan Strome - Troy Terry
Trevor Zegras - Mason McTavish
Jansen Harkins - Isac Lundeström - Brett Leason

Jackson LaCombe - Radko Gudas
Olen Zellweger - Jacob Trouba
Pavel Mintyukov - Drew Helleson
Oliver Kylington

John Gibson (confirmed)

Predators Projected Lines

Filip Forsberg - Ryan O'Reilly - Steven Stamkos
Michael Bunting - Colton Sissons - Jonathan Marchessault
Cole Smith - Fedor Svechkov - Luke Evangelista
Jakub Vrána - Michael McCarron - Zachary L'Heureux

Brady Skjei - Nick Blankenburg
Marc Del Gaizo - Spencer Stastney
Jordan Oesterle - Justin Barron

Justus Annunen (confirmed)