The Penguins hope to continue riding their hot 7-2-1 stretch against a struggling team

Coming off of one of their best efforts of the season in a thrilling 3-2 overtime win against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Penguins are rolling into Music City and hoping to take advantage of a struggling team.

The Penguins will square off against the Nashville Predators on Thursday, and - suffice to say - they will be facing a team riding far below pre-season expectations.

At 9-17-6, Nashville is currently last in the Central Division and is tied with the Chicago Blackhawks for the worst points percentage in the NHL (.375). They are 2-5-3 in their last 10 games, but they are fresh off of a 2-0 win against the falling New York Rangers.

The Penguins know the circumstances, and they also know that they still need to come out of the gate flying. And there will be two guys in particular that should be flying upon puck drop.

Forwards Cody Glass and Philip Tomasino - both traded from Nashville to Pittsburgh within the last five months - will both be facing their former team for the first time since coming to Pittsburgh.

Glass wasn't necessarily surprised when he heard the news that he had been traded.

"It was weird," Glass said. "It was in the back of my mind, like maybe it was going to happen. Obviously, with the moves (Nashville) made with free agency and stuff like that, I felt like it might be a possibility. So, I kind of just tried not to think about it."

Nashville added forwards such as Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault during free agency, and because of that, Glass and Tomasino were going to be a bit short on opportunities as far as a larger role on the team.

Head coach Mike Sullivan is aware that emotions can run a bit high when a player is facing his former team - especially in a case like Tomasino's, since he allegedly didn't leave the Predators on the best of terms.

"I think it's business as usual," Sullivan said. "But, when players go back to play a former team, especially for the first time, there's always a little added motivation, I think. And that's just human nature. I'm sure Philip will want to have his best game tonight, and we're hoping he'll have his best game, also. He's been a good player for us since he's come over to join our team. I'm sure there will be added motivation for him, for sure."

In other news, goaltender Tristan Jarry - on a good run lately - will get the start in goal, and old newcomer P.O Joseph made it to Nashville in time to take warm-ups with the team, but he will not dress.

The Penguins will deploy the same lineup they did against the Kings. A player to watch will be Sidney Crosby, as he has no goals in the last 10 games but registered six shots on goal as well as 12 shot attempts against L.A.