Defenseman Ryan Ellis will return to the Nashville Predators' lineup tonight in Chicago.
Update: Preds Head Coach John Hynes says Ellis will return to the lineup tonight in Chicago. Nick Bonino will miss the contest due to illness. Pekka Rinne will start in net for Nashville.
Ellis has missed the past 20 games after taking a high hit from Corey Perry in the 2020 NHL Winter Classic. The blueliner resumed skating with the team a couple of weeks ago, but until Thursday's practice in Nashville, he had not been alongside his usual partner on defense, Roman Josi.
The Preds (29-23-7) will welcome Ellis back in the lineup for their final two games prior to the NHL Trade Deadline, which comes on Monday. Nashville is three points out of a playoff spot with two games in hand.
The Blackhawks (26-26-8) will host the Predators at United Center for the second of three times this season. Nashville holds a 2-1-0 record against Chicago to date and picked up their first victory under Hynes in their last visit to the Windy City on Jan. 9.
Nashville did not hold a morning skate on Friday.
Click here to read more on Ellis's return
. Below is a Preds projected lineup based on Thursday's practice, which Bonino was absent from.
Projected Lineup: Predators at Blackhawks
Pollock Printing Projected Lineup: Preds Get Ryan Ellis Back After 20-Game Absence
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