NASHVILLE

As a three-win team heading into Music City to play the Predators, the Maple Leafs weren't exactly a feared opponent.

Under coach Mike Babcock, however, the word seems to be out that they can't be taken lightly.

"His teams take on a familiar identity," Predators coach Peter Laviolette said on Thursday prior to the Maple Leafs-Predators game at Bridgestone Arena. "You can tell. When you went and played Detroit, you always had to fight and battle for your space. If you didn't, the scoreboard wouldn't go accordingly for you.

"They are a hard-working group."

The Dallas Stars are certainly aware of it -- losing twice to the Leafs the past two weeks -- and even when they are losing, they are in most games. With strong goaltending from James Reimer, who got a sixth consecutive start on Thursday night, the confidence is starting to match the effort.

"They're always a quick puck-possession team and they have a system they seem to play to a T," said veteran Preds defender Shea Weber, who faced Babcock's Detroit teams for several seasons and played under him at the past two Olympics. "His teams obviously respond. As long as you buy in, it starts to come together."

SHUFFLE IT UP

With Daniel Winnikreturning to the Leafs lineup after a one-game absence due to a lower-body injury, it was Brad Boyes' turn to be a healthy scratch. It's the third time he has been dismissed to the press box this season.

Winnik said the injury, which he sustained Saturday in Washington, was worse than originally feared and appeared to be a knee issue.

Boyes was the latest player to fall victim to Babcock's promise to reward ice time to players who deserve it.

Both Joffrey Lupul and James van Riemsdyk, who missed practice here on Wednesday, were back in the lineup against the Preds.

CONFIDENCE HELPS

With points in four of five games prior to Thursday, Leafs players felt like a weight had been lifted and that they could play with more confidence.

"We feel pretty good. We've done a lot of things right," Lupul said. "We probably wish we had some more points in these last two games."

While the Leafs are still among the bottom-dwellers in the standings, if they continue to pile up points, they feel they can continue to climb. It won't come easy with a weekend back-to-back against the Canucks and Rangers.

"We're playing better and building in the right direction," Lupul said. "It's time to string a couple of wins together and climb into that race a little bit."

QUICK HITS

Entering a hectic stretch of three games in four nights and four in six, the Leafs planned to take Friday off and prepare for weekend back-to-backs at home to Vancouver on Saturday and back in New York to face the Rangers for a second time on Sunday ... Prior to the game Thursday, Preds goaltender Pekka Rinne had allowed two goals or fewer in seven of 11 appearances ... Nashville's Mike Fisheron his team's 7-5 win over Ottawa here on Tuesday, which had the Preds faithful out of their seats: "Our fans loved it, but we want to play a tighter game. I don't know if we want to be that wide open." It stands to reason, however, as Nashville leads the NHL with an average of 32.2 shots per game.