Chicago Blackhawks (22-17-6) at Nashville Predators (29-11-7)
7:00PM Central
RADIO: WGN 720
PROJECTED GOALIES:
Chicago:
Anton Forsberg (4-7-3, 3.00 GAA, .909 Save%)
Nashville:
Pekka Rinne (24-8-3, 2.35 GAA, .927 Save%)
PROJECTED LINES/PAIRINGS:
Chicago:
DeBrincat-Toews-Duclair
Saad-Schmaltz-Kane
Hartman-Anisimov-Wingels
Hinostroza-Kampf-Jurco
Keith-Oesterle
Gustafsson-Seabrook
Kempny-Murphy
Nashville:
Forsberg-Johansen-Arvidsson
Hartnell-Turris-Smith
Fiala-Boninio-Jarnkrok
Salomaki-Sissons-Watson
Josi-Ellis
Emelin-Subban
Ekholm-Irwin
STATISTICAL COMPARISONS:
Power Play:
Chicago 15.5% (28th)
Nashville 23.9% (3rd)
Penalty Kill:
Chicago 81.8% (14th)
Nashville 82.7% (8th)
Corsi FOR % (5-on-5):
Chicago 53.4% (2nd)
Nashville 49.5% (18th)
Faceoffs:
Chicago 49.7% (17th)
Nashville 52.4% (5th)
SUMMARY:
Well, this is it, no more breaks, no more, “flipping the switch,” and no more excuses. Sitting four points out of a playoff spot with 33 games left to play, this final stretch will truly show us what this Blackhawks team is made of. Although many of us may already have a solidified opinion of who this 2017-18 team is, players, coaches, and management obviously believe otherwise; and maybe they don’t have a choice. With the jobs of GM Stan Bowman and Coach Joel Quenneville possibly riding on this season’s result, these last 33 games will have a tremendous impact on the future of the organization. Will Corey Crawford come back and lead the playoff push? Maybe. Will Dylan Sikura be the key, “deadline acquisition,” the Blackhawks need in their top nine? Unlikely. Regardless of what happens, the end result could be the difference between large scale changes, and maintaining the status quo.
Tonight’s game presents a great challenge, and the Hawks must rise to the occasion. As they arrive in Nashville to face a dangerous Predators team, there will be no excuses for the Blackhawks to come out flat. This is a division game, against an opponent who embarrassed them in the first round of the playoffs a year ago, in one of the best atmosphere’s in the entire NHL. Not to mention, all the intense pressure riding on each of their remaining games, all the more reason to come out and play with a purpose.
The newly formed line combinations will be put to the test after a blowout win in Detroit, as the Predators are getting healthy at the right time. Filip Forsberg will return to the lineup for the Preds, reuniting the dangerous line also featuring Ryan Johansen and Viktor Arvidsson.
This should be a fun one, and a could be the best indicator of what the following 32 games will bring.
Please join the always entertaining conversation below! Look out for a Jake Martin recap tonight or tomorrow AM.