Stars @ Predators

Who will WIN this matchup?

Dallas Stars (18-16-3)

@ Nashville Predators (22-13-2)

Starting Goalies:

Anton Khudobin (DAL): Confirmed

Pekka Rinne (NSH): Likely

Current odds:

Dallas Stars: (+150)

Nashville Predators: (-170)

• The Nashville Predators skidded into the Christmas break with a season-high four consecutive losses (0-3-1), but a return to Music City has provided the club with several positive notes of late. The Predators vie for their seventh consecutive home victory overall and fifth in a row against the Dallas Stars at Bridgestone Arena when the clubs meet on Thursday. Ryan Johansen scored in Saturday’s 5-2 setback at Boston to give him 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in 11 games during December. The 26-year-old collected a goal and an assist in Nashville’s 5-4 overtime win over Dallas on Nov. 10.

• The Stars have answered a season-high four-game winning streak by going 2-6-0 in their past eight games, with just seven goals scored in their last four. “I don’t think we are satisfied at all. There is a lot of room for improvement,” said Tyler Pitlick, who scored in Sunday’s 3-1 setback to the New York Islanders. “We got to get better, we got to be consistent every night and bring our A game. We can’t give away points and not be ready to go.”

• Although Dallas has converted on 19.8 percent of its power plays this season, the team ranks last in the NHL with just 96 opportunities with the man advantage. “I don’t understand it,” said coach Jim Montgomery, per the Dallas Morning News. “I feel like we’re possessing the puck a lot more here lately. We’re starting to be more dynamic in the offensive zone. We have a lot more defensive movement. We’re getting volume shooting. Starting to get rebound chances, which is a good sign. Usually that leads to drawing penalties. I can’t pinpoint as to why we don’t draw enough penalties.” Captain Jamie Benn has scored a team-best six times on the power play this season and has 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in his last eight games versus Nashville.

• Captain Roman Josi has been providing an offensive punch for an injury-riddled Nashville team, collecting 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in his last 10 games. The defenseman boosted his career point total against the Stars to 21 (eight goals, 13 assists) by scoring a goal and setting up another in the previous meeting last month. Reigning Vezina Trophy winner Pekka Rinne has lost four straight outings heading into Thursday’s tilt in Nashville, where he owns an 11-3-0 mark with a 1.86 goals-against average and .928 save percentage.

• Pitlick snapped a 16-game goal drought with his goal on Sunday, with his previous tally coming against Nashville.

• The Predators are 6-3-0 against Central Division foes while the Stars are just 2-4-1.

• Dallas RW Alexander Radulov has two assists in six career contests versus his former club.