Predators host Flames with rejuvenated Smith

In a phrase made famous by Mark Twain, there are lies, damned lies and statistics.

But the numbers Nashville Predators forward Craig Smith put up over the last two months -- or more accurately, hasn't put up -- sure don't lie.

Since scoring two goals in a 4-3 victory Jan. 26 over Columbus, Smith has been stuck on nine. Worse yet, he managed only two assists in that time and his lack of production finally led to being scratched from a 4-2 loss Saturday night in Carolina.

Perhaps inspired by getting an unwanted evening off, Smith responded with what was likely his best game since late January. He set up Ryan Ellis' two goals Monday night in a 3-1 victory over Arizona, recorded two shots and had a hit in 12:53 of ice time.

Smith and Nashville hope he can build off that game Thursday night when they host the Calgary Flames in Bridgestone Arena in the third and final meeting of the season.

"We've got 16 healthy forwards here," Predators coach Peter Laviolette said. "Everybody's accountable to the way they play. It was really good to see Craig come back in and play the game that he played today. It was nice to see him cash in offensively. It just hasn't bounced his way or gone his way."

Smith was one of Nashville's most consistent sources of offense the last three seasons, tallying 24, 23 and 21 goals in that span. He's been a top six forward for most of that time, but worked on the third or fourth line during his recent slide, coinciding with the ascent.

Laviolette slotted Smith on the second line with Colin Wilson and Mike Fisher, and the trio were a combined plus-5 and drove play during most of their shifts.

"It's been tough, but it's been great," Smith said of his recent troubles. "At the end of the day, it's still fun. It's still hockey."

The Predators (36-25-11) enter this one in a tie for third in the Central Division with St. Louis, eight points clear of Los Angeles for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. They and Calgary (41-28-4), which is three points ahead of Nashville, appear to be in good shape for playoff spots.

While the Flames ate a 4-2 loss Tuesday night in Washington, they've won 12 of their last 14. The first of those victories was a 6-5 overtime decision Feb. 21 in Nashville on a fluky goal by Mark Giordano that hit off Filip Forsberg's skate in the goal mouth and skittered across the goal line.

The result snapped goalie Brian Elliott's franchise-record 11-game winning streak. Not that Elliott covered himself in shame by any means as he stopped 36 shots against a steady Capitals attack.

"Moose kept us in and we had a chance right at the end to get points out of that game," Giordano said. "That's what's most disappointing, I think."

Elliott (23-14-3) is expected to go back in net Thursday night, while Pekka Rinne (28-16-8) should get the call for the Predators. He stopped 25 shots in Monday night's win over Arizona, his third straight victory.