The Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens have both been predicted to target the same Nashville Predators forward as the NHL trade deadline nears.

Predators surge toward playoff contention fueled by Stamkos' milestones and surging offense, closing in on a crucial Wild Card berth.

Two Western Conference squads hit the ice when the fifth-place Vegas Golden Knights (17-9-11) host the 11th-place Nashville Predators (17-17-4) at T-Mobile Arena on Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET. Nashville won on the road in its most recent game on Dec. 29, 4-3 over the Utah Mammoth.

After not playing for five consecutive days, it would have been easy for the Utah Mammoth to have a slow start against the Nashville Predators on Monday, but an early power play goal from JJ Peterka showed that they were rust-free.

The First Round series between the Avalanche and Preds shifts to Nashville beginning with Game 3

Pavel Buchnevich scored twice, Brayden Schenn had a goal for his 700th career point, and the St. Louis Blues beat the Nashville Predators 3-2

The Nashville Predators visit the Utah Mammoth at Delta Center on Dec. 29, their second stop of a six-game road trip.