• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Predators seek more offense against Thrashers

Jan 17, 2009 - 11:29 AM Atlanta (15-25-5) at Nashville (20-21-3), 8:00 p.m. EST

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Offense has been hard to come by for the Nashville Predators. Perhaps that is why have they yet to build off an exciting playoff run last season.

The Predators hope to bounce back from a deflating setback and spark their dreadful offense when they host the Atlanta Thrashers on Saturday.

Nashville has recorded 108 goals this season, ahead of only the Los Angeles Kings (104) and Ottawa Senators (101). Its struggles continued on Thursday, when the Montreal Canadiens used a strong defensive effort to claim a 3-2 victory.

In 2007-08, the Predators netted 227 tallies during their 41-32-9 campaign that ended with a thrilling six-game series in the Western Conference quarterfinals against the eventual Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings.

Things have not been as productive this season, though, as Nashville has only notched two winning streak of three games or more.

Excluding a pair of victories earlier this month, the Predators have failed to score three goals in eight straight games.

Atlanta recorded a 4-3 overtime victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday after having lost four of five.

Ilya Kovalchuk has scored three goals since being named the seventh captain in franchise history on Monday.