Corey Crawford is back in net and the Blackhawks will look to win their third in a row when they host the Nashville Predators on Sunday night.
The Blackhawks won back-to-back games against Buffalo and Carolina on Thursday and Friday. They beat the Predators on Dec. 29 in Nashville. And while the Predators will be missing some key players, including P.K. Subban and James Neal, the Blackhawks can’t take them lightly.
“Try to keep playing the same way,” Patrick Kane said. “I think we played better against Buffalo and Carolina, but try to get back to that puck-possession type of game, hanging on to the puck, keep it in their end a little bit more and hopefully control the game tonight. Try to keep getting some points here and keep rising in the division.”
The Blackhawks are currently atop the Western Conference with 55 points. Minnesota is two points behind them. Outside of Crawford, the Blackhawks should have the same lineup as on Friday.
[SHOP: Gear up, Blackhawks fans!]
BLACKHAWKS VS. NASHVILLE PREDATORS
6 p.m.
NHL
TV: WGN
Radio: WGN 720 AM
Chicago Blackhawks
Forward lines
Vinnie Hinostroza-Jonathan Toews-Marian Hossa
Artemi Panarin-Artem Anisimov-Patrick Kane
Ryan Hartman-Tanner Kero-Richard Panik
Andrew Desjardins-Dennis Rasmussen-Jordin Tootoo
Defensive pairs
Duncan Keith-Niklas Hjalmarsson
Michal Kempny-Brent Seabrook
Brian Campbell-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Goaltender
Corey Crawford
INJURIES/ILLNESS: Marcus Kruger (right arm).
Nashville Predators (via The Tennessean)
Forward lines
Filip Forsberg-Ryan Johansen-Calle Jarnkrok
Austin Watson-Mike Fisher-Colton Sissons
Kevin Fiala-Mike Ribeiro-Craig Smith
Harry Zolnierczyk-Vladislav Kamenev-Frederick Gaudreau
Defensive Pairs
Roman Josi-Ryan Ellis
Mattias Ekholm-Matt Irwin
Pontus Aberg-Yannick Weber
Goaltender
Pekka Rinne
INJURIES/ILLNESS: P.K. Subban (reported herniated disc), James Neal (upper body), Colin Wilson (undisclosed).