Facing a crucial five-game swing, the Predators battle desperate opponents for a playoff berth. Their destiny rests on this Western swing.

Steven Stamkos emphatically let it be known that he had no interest in being traded from the Nashville Predators. And when general Barry Trotz subtracted from the roster at the March 6 deadline, Stamkos,

Saros will patrol the road crease in Saturday's clash against the Sharks, per Max Herz of 102.5 The Game Nashville.

The Nashville Predators moved into the final wild-card spot with their win on March 21, and losses by Los Angeles and Seattle.

The Nashville Predators never doubted they could be a playoff team. A franchise that ranked dead last in the NHL standings as late as Dec. 8 goes into the final 10 games of the regular season sitting in the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

Ivan Demidov, Oliver Kapanen and Alex Newhook each scored a goal and an assist as the Montreal Canadiens beat the Nashville Predators 4-1.