Predators aim to continue Sabres' troubles

Now Playing

Link copied!

The Nashville Predators have already clinched a spot in the Western Conference playoffs, but they still have something to play for during the final week of the regular season.

Looking to rebound from an ugly defeat over weekend, the Predators try for a third consecutive road victory while aiming to extend the Buffalo Sabres' slide to a season-high eight games Tuesday night.

With three games remaining, Nashville (44-29-6) remains in the mix with Winnipeg and even St. Louis for a Central Division title. The Predators, though, have little room for error in that race following Saturday's 5-2 home defeat to Columbus.

The Blue Jackets led 3-1 at the end of one period and after Nashville cut that deficit to a goal, scored the final two of the second. The Predators are 5-2-1 in their last eight contests, and following this game, conclude the regular season at home against Vancouver and Chicago.

"We've got to be better, faster, stronger. More competitive," forward Viktor Arvidsson told the Predators' official website.

"I think everybody feels it's a step back when you lose. You got to gather your thoughts and play better next game."

While Nashville pursues a division crown, Arvidsson is in position to make some team history this week. With his second goal in as many games and 33rd on Saturday, the talented winger tied the franchise's single-season record. Perhaps more impressive, Arvidsson did so in 55 games -- and missing 21 with a thumb injury.

"It's awesome, especially if you look at how many games he has done it in," said teammate Filip Forsberg, who had 33 goals for Nashville in 2015-16. "We have (three) more games to give him that on his own, and we will do everything we can for that."

Arvidsson was not in the lineup when Nashville beat Buffalo 2-1 at home on Dec. 3. Pekka Rinne, who has a 1.57 goals-against average in his last five starts, needed to make only 21 saves in that victory.

It's likely Rinne will be in net at Buffalo, which is limping to the end of a season in which it was 17-6-2 on Nov. 27. Since then, the Sabres (31-38-10) have won just 14 games and generated the same 36 points.

Mired in a 3-17-3 stretch, Buffalo is 0-6-1 since a 4-3 shootout win over St. Louis on March 17. On Sunday, the Sabres were booed off the ice after being shut out for the fifth time in 12 games, 4-0 by the same Blue Jackets.

"I feel for (the fans)," defenseman Jake McCabe, who returned Sunday following a 13-game absence with an upper-body injury, told the Sabres' official website.

"Obviously, nobody wants to lose in this city, including us. "It's not like we're going out there trying to lose every single night."

Linus Ullmark made 32 saves while losing his seven straight start Sunday, but Carter Hutton could be in net against his former team for this one. Hutton stopped 23 shots at Nashville this season, but has a 4.29 goals-against average in his last six starts.

Teammate Sam Reinhart scored one of his 20 goals against the Predators. However, he has just two a 17-game stretch.

Buffalo last lost eight straight in 2014-15.

Nashville forward Austin Watson will make his return from a suspension of more than two months for alcohol abuse. Watson had 13 points (seven goals, six assists) in 34 games when he was suspended on Jan. 29 and has missed the past 27 games.

--Field Level Media