Preview/Game Thread: Blackhawks at Predators

  

Nashville Predators (46–29–6) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (36–33–12)

7 p.m. CST
Bridgestone Arena
TV/Radio: NBCSCH/WGN

PROJECTED STARTERS

ChicagoCam Ward (16–11–4, save percentage: .896, goals against average: 3.68)
Nashville Pekka Rinne (29–19–4, save percentage: .917, goals against average: 2.43)

TEAM STATISTICS

Power Play
Chicago (20.3 percent, 15th)
Nashville (12.7 percent, 31st)

Penalty Kill
Chicago (72.8 percent, 31st)
Nashville (81.9 percent, Seventh)

Shorts for/against
Chicago (32.5, 11th; 34.6, 30th)
Nashville (32.4, 12th; 30.0, 9th)

Shooting Percentage
Chicago (10.1 percent, Seventh)
Nashville (8.8 percent, 21st)

Faceoff Percentage
Chicago (49.4 percent, T-20th)
Nashville (51.6 percent, Fifth)

Average height and weight
Chicago 6-foot-1, 197 pounds
Nashville 6-foot-1, 199 pounds

PROJECTED LINES/PAIRINGS

Chicago Blackhawks

Drake CaggiulaJonathan ToewsPatrick Kane

Alex DeBrincatDylan StromeBrendan Perlini

Brandon SaadArtem AnisimovDominik Kahun

Chris KunitzDavid KampfJohn Hayden

Duncan KeithErik Gustafsson

Gustav ForslingBrent Seabrook

Slater KoekkoekConnor Murphy

Nashville Predators

Filip ForsbergRyan JohansenViktor Arvidsson

Mikael GranlundKyle TurrisCraig Smith

Colton SissonsNick BoninoAustin Watson

Brian BoyleCalle JarnkrokWayne Simmonds

Roman JosiRyan Ellis

Mattias EkholmP.K. Subban

Dan HamhuisDante Fabbro

Analysis

The Blackhawks put a damper on the Stars’ chances of maintaining the first wild card position Friday night. If the Stars fail to capture at least one point and the Avalanche win, the Avalanche will move into the first wild card position and face the winner of the Central Division. The other will face the Calgary Flames in the opening round of the playoffs.

Tonight presents another big game for a Blackhawks opponent. The Blues’ matchup against the Blackhawks could have tied them for first place. Last night’s game could have captured the top wild card spot for Dallas, and now tonight, a Predators’ win would capture the Central Division. A title would mean the raising of another banner to the rafters of Bridgestone Arena to join their existing “Regular Season Champions” banner.

The Blackhawks will have Ward starting in net this evening with Kevin Lankinen backing him up in Nashville. Corey Crawford did not travel with the team after leaving last night’s game with a groin injury. It’s unlikely that we see Lankinen make his NHL debut tonight, but with his call up, it allows Collin Delia and Anton Forsberg to help Rockford push toward the playoffs in these final, very meaningful, games.

A Predators win tonight clinches the Central Division title. A Predators loss, and this division can be captured by any one of the Predators, Blues or Jets depending on Saturday’s outcomes.

Comment below in our live game thread tonight!

And look for the internet’s most robust recap of the game tomorrow morning on the-rink.com.

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Center Ice Forums Preview/Game Thread: Blackhawks at Predators

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    Ron Luce
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    Nashville Predators (46–29–6) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (36–33–12) 7:00 p.m. CST Bridgestone Arena TV/Radio: NBCSCH/WGN PROJECTED STARTERS Chicago – Cam
    [To continue reading full article, click here: Preview/Game Thread: Blackhawks at Predators]

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