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Panthers hope to extend win streak in clash with Preds

Dec 11, 2010 - 3:53 PM (Sports Network) - The Florida Panthers will shoot for a fourth consecutive victory when they visit the surging Nashville Predators tonight at Bridgestone Arena.

With victories over Phoenix, Colorado and Washington, the Panthers are in the midst of their longest winning streak of the year. Tonight, Florida will try for its four-game winning streak since posting seven consecutive wins from Mar. 2-16, 2008.

The Predators, meanwhile, have won four of their last five games (4-0-1) after dropping four in a row from Nov. 22-27. Tonight marks the start of a three- game homestand for Nashville, which is 5-1-5 in the Music City this season.

Florida notched an impressive victory its last time out, blanking Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals this Thursday on the road. Tomas Vokoun made 36 saves for his third shutout of the season in the 3-0 victory.

Vokoun earned his first shutout since back-to-back whitewashes in October and the Panthers won behind goals from Michael Frolik, Steve Bernier and Mike Santorelli.

Making the shutout even more impressive is the fact that Washington had eight chances on the power play.

"It wasn't a great game coming in and taking that many penalties, but I really think that we took a little bit of their will away when we killed them," said Florida head coach Peter DeBoer.

The Panthers have had their share of injury concerns to deal with recently. Forwards Cory Stillman (foot) and Chris Higgins (Back) are doubtful for tonight, but defenseman Bryan Allen could return from a broken foot this evening. Allen hasn't played since sustaining the injury on Nov. 22 against Pittsburgh.

Florida has won four of its last six away from the Sunshine State and is 7-9-0 as the guest this season.

Nashville dropped an overtime decision Monday in Atlanta, but was able to rebound with a victory in Detroit on Wednesday. J.P. Dumont scored what proved to be the game-winning goal late in the third period, as the Predators held off the Red Wings, 3-2, to notch a rare victory at Joe Louis Arena.

Martin Erat and Colin Wilson also scored for the Predators, who hadn't won in regulation in the Motor City since March 29, 2009. Anders Lindback was sensational in net, stopping 35 shots, including 27 combined in the final two periods.

"Detroit's one of the best teams in the league, and we proved one more time that we can beat these guys," Lindback said. "I think we played a good game overall, and it helps us build confidence."

Nashville forward David Legwand returned from a nine-game absence due to a lower-body injury on Wednesday, but left the game in the second period after aggravating the issue. He is questionable for tonight.

Tonight marks the first of two meetings between the Preds and Panthers this season. Nashville won both encounters last year and has taken four of five overall in the series. The Preds are 4-0 with a pair of ties in the last six matchups in the Music City.