Stars GameDay: Predators come calling with West’s top seed on line

Predators at Stars

7:30 p.m. Tuesday, American Airlines Center, Dallas

TV: FSSW Radio: KTCK/1310 AM and 96.7 FM

Records: Predators 39-24-13, 91 points; Stars 45-22-9, 99 pts.

About the Predators: Nashville lost to Colorado 4-3 on Monday, the only black mark on a 3-1 homestand and missing a chance to clinch a playoff spot. The loss was just the Predators’ second in seven games, the other at NHL leader Washington, and they remain in the West’s top wild-card position. Forwards Filip Forsberg, with 31 goals, and James Neal, with 30, are the second set of teammates to have reached 30 goals this season, joining the Stars’ Jamie Benn (37) and Tyler Seguin (33). Goalie Pekka Rinne is 8-2-2 in his last 12 regular-season games against the Stars, including a win and a loss this season.

About the Stars: Dallas has won four of five games, including Sunday’s 4-2 win at San Jose that had a physical intensity resembling the playoffs. The Stars are tied with St. Louis with 99 points to lead the Western Conference though the top six are separated only by eight points. Dallas is 2-1 against Nashville this season. Goaltender Antti Niemi has started each of those games, allowing a total of seven goals, including the first of the game to Craig Smith all three times. Captain Jamie Benn is the Stars’ nominee for the 2015-16 Bill Masterton Trophy given to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

This story was originally published March 28, 2016 at 10:14 PM with the headline "Stars GameDay: Predators come calling with West’s top seed on line."