This game against Nashville will conclude a two-game road trip. Chicago will then return home for a Sunday meeting with Calgary.
The Predators are in the midst of a long, five-game homestand. Thus far, Nashville has gone 1-2-0. They are coming off back-to-back losses to Colorado and Arizona.
The Predators leading scorer is Filip Forsberg, who has 22 points (14G, 8A) through 26 games. Ryan Johansen is the only other Preds player to have more than 20 points this season (21).
SEASON SERIES:
The Blackhawks went 2-2-0 against the Predators in four meetings last season. This year, they'll face each other three more times. They'll meet in Chicago on Dec. 18 and Jan. 9, and the Blackhawks travel back to Nashville on April 6, for their final game of the regular season.
LINEUP NOTES:
Henri Jokiharju returns to the lineup after being ill the last couple games. He replaces Jan Rutta. The Blackhawks line rushes and pairings at morning skate were as follows:
Saad-Toews-Perlini
DeBrincat-Strome-Kane
Kahun-Kampf-Hayden
Martinsen-Anisimov-Kruger
Keith-Jokiharju
Manning-Seabrook
Gustafsson-Forsling
Cam Ward starts between the pipes.
OPPONENT TO WATCH:
Should he start for the Predators, Pekka Rinne is one tough goalie to crack. The number one netminder has a 10-4-1 record this season to go along with his impressive 1.85 GAA and .935 save percentage. He is 19-16-5 in his career against Chicago, with a .921 save percentage.
