7:00 PM CT – Canucks (30-13-7) @ Predators (32-17-4)

Players to watch:
VAN- Ryan Kesler
Kesler is currently on a five-game point streak and will be facing the team that he single-handedly dominated in last May’s second round.
NSH- Colin Wilson
Wilson only has two goals in his last 20 games, but has experienced success against the Canucks this season. In two games he has four points.

Starting goaltenders:
VAN- Roberto Luongo (2011-12 stats: 21-10-5, 2.39 GAA)
NSH- Pekka Rinne (2011-12 stats: 30-11-4, 2.37 GAA)

Injury report:
VAN- Chris Higgins (illness, questionable), Andrew Ebbett and Aaron Volpatti (shoulder, out)
NSH- Mike Fisher and Martin Erat (undisclosed, probable)

Keys to the game:
VAN- Get off to a quick start… With as well as the Preds have been playing at home, the Canucks will need to have a fast start to get the crowd out of it. They are at their best early in games, out-scoring opponents 56-32 in the first period. Look for the Sedins and company to come flying out of the gates.
NSH- Win special teams battle… Facing an elite team like Vancouver, the Preds have to win gain the edge on special teams tonight. Both power plays are even, but Vancouver’s penalty kill is more consistent. The Preds will need to stay disciplined and take advantage on the power play.

Numbers to know:
- The Preds are 17-7-3 at home this season … Vancouver is 17-9-1 on the road.
- The Preds are 13-2-0 in their last 15 home games … Vancouver is 7-2-0 in their last 9 road games.
- The Preds are 9-5-0 against the Northwest Division this season … Vancouver is 7-5-2 against the Central.
- This is the third head-to-head meeting this season. The first two took place in Vancouver in the first half of the season, with the Canucks and Preds splitting the contests.
- The Preds are 9-9-(1)-4 all-time at home against the Canucks, who won all three games at Bridgestone Arena in last year’s playoffs.
- Pekka Rinne is 4-5-0 with a 2.74 GAA, .916 save percentage in 10 career games vs. the Canucks. His likely counterpart, Roberto Luongo, is 11-11-3 with a 2.20 GAA and .923 save percentage in 26 career games vs. Nashville.
- Martin Erat has 14 points in his last 12 games vs. Vancouver.
- Power play rankings: Nashville (22.2%, 2nd) … Vancouver (22.3%, 1st)
- Penalty kill: Nashville (82.6%, 15th) … Vancouver (85.6%, 6th)

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