Two teams that are hoping to break .500 face off as the Nashville Predators welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins to Bridgestone Arena tonight.
Tonight the Nashville Predators hope to extend their five game win streak against the Pittsburgh Penguins as they host the Penguins at Bridgestone Arena. The two teams enter tonight's game with identical 10-10 records.
After morning skate, head coach Andrew Brunette said the Predators may again roll with eleven forwards and seven defensemen.
"Similar idea tonight. I think we'll see what exactly happens with some of them. We're kind of battling with injury here so we'll make sure we're good to go. That could be a possibility, yes."
The Pittsburgh Penguins may have a change to their lineup tonight as well as Bryan Rust is expected to return after missing three games with a lower body injury. In his absence, Drew O'Connor has skated with the top line of Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel, so head coach Mike Sullivan will have to decide if Rust will play with his former line mates or keep O'Connor with Crosby and Guentzel.
The Predators are preparing for a fast game tonight against the Penguins.
"Every time they've played in the last ten, fifteen years, they're always a fast team," Roman Josi said after morning skate. "Obviously Crosby is still one of the best players in the world. It's just a fast, really skilled team, and it's going to be a fun game."
"Crosby, Malkin, Karlsson, Letang — the usual suspects that every time they come to town you know who's going to be out there," Colton Sissons said of the Penguins' lineup.
Tristan Jarry and Juuse Saros are the likely starters in net for their respective teams.
The Predators take on the Penguins at home tonight. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm CT.