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And just like that, the Detroit Red Wings are on another losing streak, after dropping their last outing 3-2 to the struggling Calgary Flames on Thursday. Prior to that, the surging Vancouver Canucks beat then 4-2 to snap a two-game winning streak. They've had plenty of time to sit and consider those two losses, and now after the holiday break, they're set to take on the Nashville Predators on the road.
Nashville has been a very inconsistent team this season, and its anybody's guess as to which iteration will show up on Monday. Though they lost their last outing, a 6-3 beatdown at the hands of the Dallas Stars, they have had previously won six of their last seven. Two of those losses came in their last three, though, and the Predators will have their hands full with Detroit.
This will be the third meeting between these two teams this season, and they've each taken a game apiece. Detroit won the first outing on Nov. 26 at the Joe Louis Arena, walking out with a 4-1 home win, but lost the most recent meeting on Dec. 15 at Bridgestone Arena. Detroit kept it closer than Nashville was able to in their loss though, finishing with a 4-3 mark.
Both teams are currently lined up to make the playoffs, but neither are at the very top where they both expected to be at this point in the season. The key for Detroit will be to put Nashville behind early, and discourage the inconsistent team. With a +33 goal differential, the best in the Western Conference, it's certainly a possibility for Detroit.
The game is set for 8:00 p.m. eastern on Monday.