Kostin has a lower-body injury and has not played since Jan. 10, when the Sharks faced the Utah Hockey Club in Salt Lake City. Sturm, also out with a lower-body injury, was played on injured reserve on Wednesday, the same day the Sharks claimed forward Walker Duehr off of waivers from the Calgary Flames.

NHL: San Jose Sharks continue homestand on Saturday against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers

Welcome back to NHL Predictions! Today, like every day, Last Word on Hockey looks at the games happening and gives our predictions for each. We’ll also break down head-to-head matchups and other factors that may play a part.

NHL: San Jose Sharks have won just 13 of 26 games in which they’ve led or been tied going into the third period

Thursday’s NHL slate will see the Nashville Predators (17-22-7) square off against the San Jose Sharks (14-30-6), starting at 10:30 PM ET at SAP Center at San Jose and broadcast on ESPN+. The Predators rank 14th in the Western Conference (41 points),

Following the largest comeback win in franchise history Tuesday at Bridgestone Arena, the Nashville Predators once again beat the San Jose Sharks, 6-5, in another high-scoring affair Thursday at SAP Center.