The Wild. 5-2-3 on the road since Dec. 1, looks to snap a three-game losing streak (three goals scored) tonight in Nashville.
Ryan Johansen, whom the Wild coveted, will make his home debut for the Predators, who are also struggling right now. They're 0-4-1 in their past five (outscored 21-10), although they rallied for a point Thursday against Winnipeg, and are 1-5-2 since their last regulation win Dec. 28.
Johansen has two goals and three assists in four games since arriving from Columbus.
The Wild lost in Nashville last month for the first time since Oct. 8, 2013. It also snapped a nine-game point streak in December that night. The Wild is 5-2-2 in its past nine in Nashville and won three games here in the final six weeks of last season.
Devan Dubnyk will start for the second consecutive night. Dubnyk was lights out in the second half of back-to-back situations last season, giving up seven goals in his past six such scenarios.
He's 0-1-1 this year with five goals allowed.
Coach Mike Yeo indicated there will be a lineup change tonight. Ryan Carter isn't on the trip and since the Wild hasn't called up any forwards, Mike Reilly is either playing for Nate Prosser or the Wild will dress seven defensemen.
Perhaps Erik Haula, who played only eight minutes and was basically replaced by Jarret Stoll on the third line after his turnover led to a goal last night against Winnipeg, won't play.