(Sports Network) - After getting shut out in consecutive games the Nashville
Predators will try to get something going on offense when they host the Dallas
Stars in Monday's clash at Bridgestone Arena.
The Predators have gone 120 minutes without a goal since Shea Weber scored the
overtime winner in Tuesday's 4-3 decision against the visiting Detroit Red
Wings. Nashville was then handed a 1-0 regulation setback by the Vancouver
Canucks in Friday's home game before falling 4-0 in Detroit the following
night.
Nashville fired 33 shots at Jimmy Howard on Saturday, but the Red Wings
goaltender stopped all of them for his first shutout of the season.
"When you come into this building you have to bring your best game with you,"
said Nashville head coach Barry Trotz. "I thought we played well at times, but
they were just better than us tonight."
Pekka Rinne gave up all four goals on 27 shots for the Predators, who have
dropped four of their last five games.
Nashville has played the last three games without centerman Paul Gaustad and
he is expected to miss another test on Monday. Gaustad is especially missed in
the faceoff circle, where he's won 62.6 percent of his 238 draws this season.
The Preds are 4-2-3 as the host this season, but they have won two of three
and five of their past eight home tests against Dallas. Despite losing the
last two meetings in this series, the Stars have won four of the previous
seven battles against Nashville.
Dallas began a three-game homestand with consecutive regulation losses but
salvaged the finale with Saturday's 3-1 decision against San Jose. Cristopher
Nilstorp stopped 31 shots to notch his first NHL victory in the triumph at
American Airlines Center.
"Of course it's a great feeling to get your first win," Nilstorp said. "The
guys did an amazing job in front me and helped me out today so I'm really
thankful for that. It's a great feeling."
With No. 1 netminder Kari Lehtonen expected to miss a fourth straight game
with a groin injury, Nilstorp will likely get the start over Richard
Bachman on Monday. Lehtonen has been practicing and is considered day-to-day.
Jamie Benn and Jaromir Jagr each registered a goal and an assist in Saturday's
win, while Michael Ryder added a power-play tally.
The Stars played their second straight game without Trevor Daley on Saturday,
but the defenseman could return for Monday's contest.
Dallas is starting a brief two-game road trip that is set to end Tuesday in
Columbus. The Stars are 5-5-0 as the guest this season.
The Sports Network