Nashville Predators (46–29–6) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (36–33–12)
7 p.m. CST
Bridgestone Arena
TV/Radio: NBCSCH/WGN
PROJECTED STARTERS
Chicago – Cam 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 Caggiula–Jonathan Toews–Patrick Kane
Alex DeBrincat–Dylan Strome–Brendan Perlini
Brandon Saad–Artem Anisimov–Dominik Kahun
Chris Kunitz–David Kampf–John Hayden
Gustav Forsling–Brent Seabrook
Nashville Predators
Filip Forsberg–Ryan Johansen–Viktor Arvidsson
Mikael Granlund–Kyle Turris–Craig Smith
Colton Sissons–Nick Bonino–Austin Watson
Brian Boyle–Calle Jarnkrok–Wayne Simmonds
Roman Josi–Ryan Ellis
Mattias Ekholm–P.K. Subban
Dan Hamhuis–Dante 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.