![\"NHL:](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-900\/24959378.jpg\")
Dec 10, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators center Jonathan Marchessault (81) skates with the puck against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\nIf the Nashville Predators are to avoid setting the franchise record for most consecutive losses, they will have to do it without their undisputed leader.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n On a 0-5-1 road skid, the Predators will be without captain Roman Josi on Thursday against the host Dallas Stars.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Stars are looking for their fifth straight home win while sending the Predators to their ninth consecutive defeat on Thursday night.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Nashville’s swoon has dropped it into a tie with Chicago with an NHL-low 20 points. The Predators, who also boast a league-worst seven wins, have totaled just 14 goals during the 0-5-3 slide. Their last win came against visiting Winnipeg on Nov. 23.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “It’s a tough league,” said forward Jonathan Marchessault, who increased his season goal total to seven with two in Tuesday’s 4-3 home loss to Calgary.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “Something I realized with time is it never gets easier. So, you’ve got to embrace the grind and embrace the adversity that you face as an individual, and as a team also.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “And, I think that’s how you can come out on top and come out (better).”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Doing so likely won’t be easy for the Predators without Josi, who sustained a lower-body injury in the first period of Tuesday’s game. He was ruled out for Thursday’s game and is listed as day-to-day.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Nashville has been without Ryan O’Reilly, but the star forward will return after missing three games with a lower-body injury. Defenseman Jeremy Lauzon will also return after sitting out seven games with a lower-body injury. Forward Gustav Nyquist is day-to-day after sitting out Tuesday due to illness.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n “Obviously, you never replace Roman Josi,” Nashville coach Andrew Brunette said. “But, I think it gives us … organizationally, a chance to see these guys with more minutes and what they have.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Predators head to Dallas, where the Stars are 11-2-0 and have outscored their opponents 19-8 during a four-game home winning streak. Defenseman Thomas Harley scored two of Dallas’ four goals in the third period, and Jason Robertson finished the game with a goal with an assist during Sunday’s 6-2 victory over Calgary to open a six-game home stretch.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “Every game is important,” said Harley, who doubled his goal count. “Looking forward to get back to it.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Dallas broke out Sunday after being held to two goals in each of its previous three contests.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “It starts with doing the right things, and we capitalize on the opportunities,” said Stars forward Sam Steel, who registered his third goal of the season on Sunday.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Robertson, who posted 41 goals in 2021-22 and 46 in 2022-23, fell to 29 last season and has just six this season. However, he has 10 goals in 21 games against Nashville, and the last one came during Dallas’ 4-3 road win in the season opener on Oct. 10.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Stars’ Jake Oettinger made 33 saves in that contest. He’s also 10-1-0 with a 1.99 goals-against average and .929 save percentage at home this season. Backup Casey DeSmith has a 2.05 GAA while splitting his two home starts in 2024-25.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Meanwhile, Predators star Juuse Saros owns a hefty 3.46 goals-against average during his current 0-4-3 starting rut.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n