The Nashville Predators (28-42-8, 64 points) visit Salt Lake City for the first time to take on the Utah Hockey Club (36-30-12, 84 points) Thursday at Delta Center.

Head coach Andrew Brunette will be back behind the Predators' bench after missing Nashville's last two games while attending to a family matter, which he revealed Thursday morning was a medical emergency with his father. 

Both Nashville and Utah have been eliminated from playoff contention. The Predators have secured a lottery pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, while Utah is projected to finish between 12th and 16th place in the draft order.

This is the second of three meetings between the Central Division rivals this season. The Predators beat Utah 4-0 on Nov. 9 at Bridgestone Arena, and the two teams will play again in Nashville on Monday.

How the Predators Lined Up vs. Utah

Bunting-O'Reilly-Evangelista
Forsberg-Stamkos-L'Heureux
Vrana-Svechkov-Marchessault
Smith-McCarron-Wood

Skjei-Blankenburg
Del Gaizo-Barron
Englund-Oesterle

Saros
Annunen

Extra: Sissons (week-to-week, lower-body)
IR: Lauzon, Josi, Wilsby

Predators vs. Utah Hockey Club: Live Updates

First Period (NSH 0, UTA 0)

Both teams played a tight defensive game in the first 20 minutes. Utah had more scoring chances, but Predators goaltender Juuse Saros was sharp early.

Late in the first period, Predators rookie Matthew Wood nearly scored his first career NHL goal off a nice pass from Cole Smith, but Karel Vejmelka came up with the save.

Shots at the end of the period were 11-5 in favor of Utah, but the score remained tied at 0-0 after the first 20 minutes.

Second Period (NSH 0, UTA 1)

Nick Bjugstad broke the scoreless tie for Utah early in the second period when he lifted a shot over the shoulder of Saros to give Utah a 1-0 lead at the 4:49 mark.