NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — Two teams on the outside of the playoff picture will meet Monday night when the San Jose Sharks visit the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. The matchup concludes a three-game season series, with the Predators having won the first two contests decisively. Nashville earned a 6-3 victory in San Jose on April 4 and by the same score at home on March 24. Both clubs enter with nearly identical records in what has been a difficult season. The Sharks are 37-41, while the Predators are 38-42. San Jose is looking to rebound from a 6-1 road loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday. In that game, defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin provided a lone bright spot, scoring the Sharks’ only goal. The 24-year-old blueliner has been a physical presence and will be a player to watch, having recorded a goal and two assists over his last 10 games. Nashville arrives with momentum from a 2-1 home win over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. Veteran center Steven Stamkos was instrumental in that victory, contributing a goal and an assist. The 36-year-old captain has been a consistent offensive force against the Sharks this season, registering a goal in each of the previous two head-to-head meetings. His leadership and scoring touch remain central to the Predators’ attack. The game pits San Jose’s recent struggle to find consistency — alternating wins and losses over their past six outings — against a Nashville team that has won two of its last three at home. Special teams and defensive structure will be critical, as the previous high-scoring affairs between them have favored the Predators. Following this contest, the Sharks begin a back-to-back set in Chicago on Wednesday. The Predators’ next game is at home against Anaheim on Thursday.