If the Nashville Predators are going to avoid setting a franchise record for most consecutive losses, they will have to do it without their undisputed leader.
In a 0-5-1 game, the Predators will be without captain Roman Josi on Thursday when they face the host Dallas Stars.
The Stars are looking for their fifth straight home win while dispatching the Predators for their ninth straight loss on Thursday night.
Nashville’s swoon dropped it into a tie with Chicago for an NHL-low 20 points. The Predators, who also boast a league-worst seven wins, have allowed just 14 goals during the 0-5-3 slide. Their last win was against visiting Winnipeg on November 23rd.
“It’s a tough league,” said forward Jonathan Marchessault, who increased his season tally to seven goals with two in Tuesday’s 4-3 loss to Calgary.
“The thing I’ve realized over time is that it’s never easy. So, you have to accept the sadness and accept the difficulties you face as an individual, and as a team as well.
“And, I think that’s how you can come out ahead and come out (better).”
Doing so won’t be easy for the Predators without Josi, who suffered an injury in the first half of Tuesday’s game. He was not in Thursday’s game and is considered day-to-day.
Nashville was without Ryan O’Reilly, but the forward will return after missing three games with an injury. Defenseman Jeremy Lauzon will also return after sitting out seven games with a groin injury. Forward Gustav Nyquist is day-to-day after sitting out Tuesday with an illness.
“Obviously you’re never going to replace Rom Josi,” Nashville coach Andrew Brunette said. “But, I think it gives us … organizationally, an opportunity to see these guys in more minutes and what they have.”
The Predators head to Dallas, where the Stars are 11-2-0 and have outscored their opponents 19-8 during their four-game home winning streak. Defenseman Thomas Harley scored two of Dallas’ four goals in the third period, and Jason Robertson finished with an assist in a 6-2 win over Calgary to open a six-game homestand.
“Every game is important,” said Harley, who doubled his goal tally. “I’m looking forward to getting back into it.”
Dallas entered Sunday after being held to two goals in each of its last three contests.
“It starts with doing the right things, and we take advantage of opportunities,” said Stars forward Sam Steel, who registered his third goal of the season on Sunday.
Robertson, who scored 41 goals in 2021-22 and 46 in 2022-23, dropped to 29 last season and has just six this season. However, he has 10 goals in 21 games against Nashville, the last of which came in Dallas’ 4-3 win in the season opener on October 10.
Jake Oettinger of the Stars made 33 saves in that contest. He is also 10-1-0 with a 1.99 goals-against average and .929 save percentage at home this season. Backup Casey DeSmith has a 2.05 GAA while splitting his first two home runs in 2024-25.
Meanwhile, Predators star Juuse Saros owns a whopping 3.46 goals-against average in his 0-4-3 first season.
Marchessault is third on the team with 15 points this season, but only three have come in 15 road games.
–Field Level Media
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