Blackhawks' best lines to reunite in 'Black Out' game against Predators

Chicago Blackhawks (10-8-5, 25 pts) vs Nashville Predators (7-12-4)
7 pm CT – United Center
TV: CHSN (Ball/Granato)
Radio: WGN 720 AM (Wiedeman/Konroyd)

The Chicago Blackhawks return to action on a special night as they try to end their season-long four-game losing streak. They will be wearing their black alternate jerseys for the first time in 16 years when they host the Nashville Predators.

The Predators are the perfect team to play when you’re trying to end a losing streak. They come in with the fewest points in the National Hockey League. They have just three wins since Oct. 25; however, they beat the Detroit Red Wings 6-3 on Wednesday night.

Nashville is showing that last season’s disappointment wasn’t a blip on the radar, but more of how this team really is. Their general manager has called them out, and Frank Seravalli called them the most toxic environment in the league. Things aren’t going great in Music City.

Burakovsky is Expected to Return

We thought Andre Burakovsky would return for Wednesday’s tilt against the Minnesota Wild, but he was held out for the third straight game. He was a full participant in today’s morning skate, and head coach Jeff Blashill expects him to play tonight.

He will return to the top line with Connor Bedard and Ryan Greene. This trio has been very effective together, with a 54.29 Corsi for percentage (CF%). Bedard has a five-game point streak against the Predators with two goals and three assists. Look for this line to be effective early tonight and hopefully set the tone.

“Him, Bedard, and Greene have been a really good line, both from my eye test and analytically,” Blashill said. “They’ve been a really good line together, probably the best combination with Connor.”

Watch Out for the Third Line

With Burakovsky back, the rest of the lineup can sort itself back into more suitable roles. Frank Nazar will play with Teuvo Teravainen and Tyler Bertuzzi, with whom he’s had a lot of success both this season and last. The third line will remain intact with Ryan Donato, Jason Dickinson, and Ilya Mikheyev.

This trio showed how an aggressive forecheck can lead to offense, as they forced a turnover that directly led to Dickinson’s opening goal. Donato had two goals and a career-high four points the last time the Predators were in town in February. Mikheyev had a goal in the season-series finale last March and has three goals and six points in his previous eight games against Nashville.

Not a Demotion for Oliver Moore

Oliver Moore will head down to the “fourth line” tonight with Colton Dach. Blashill was quick to mention that this isn’t an indictment of the way he’s played. He pointed out that playing on that line means he and Dach will get a chance to play other high-skilled players like Bedard and Nazar throughout the game.

“he’s done a good job,” Blashill said. “This isn’t, ‘Oh, you haven’t played well, I’m going to move you down.’ With that said, it’s the NHL, and it’s extremely competitive, and we have other guys in those spots in certain lines, partially again because the chemistry of those other lines has all proven to be really good. He just needs to continue to work on his improvement. He knows that. His head’s in a great spot. He’s excited to help us in any way he can. His number one focus is to try to help us win, and that’s exactly what he said to me, and I think he’s in a great spot that way.”

Season Series

11/28 vs NSH
1/10 @ NSH
2/26 @ NSH
3/22 vs NSH

Blackhawks Team Leaders

G-Connor Bedard (14)
A-Bedard (19)
P-Bedard (33)
PPG-Tyler Bertuzzi (6)
GWG-Ryan Donato/Bedard (2)
SOG-Bedard (75)
PIM-Colton Dach (30)

Predators Team Leaders

G-Filip Forsberg (9)
A-Luke Evangelista (11)
P-Forsberg (17)
PPG-Miles Wood/Jonathan Marchessault/Steven Stamkos (3)
GWG-Ryan O’Reilly (3)
SOG-Forsberg (73)
PIM-Michael McCarron (20)

Blackhawks Team Stats

GF/G-3.13 (10th)
GA/G-2.83 (12th)
PP%-22.7 (13th)
PK%-83.1 (9th)
SOG/G-25.4 (28th)
SA/G-30.6 (27th)
FO%-47.2 (27th)
PIM/G-12:28 (30th)

Predators Team Stats

GF/G-2.48 (31st)
GA/G-3.65 (30th)
PP%-16.7 (22nd)
PK%-80.6 (16th)
SOG/G-28.0 (15th)
SA/G-27.4 (13th)
FO%-52.5 (9th)
PIM/G-7:31 (6th)

Blackhawks Probable Lines

Forwards
Ryan Greene-Connor Bedard-Andre Burakovsky
Oliver Moore-Frank Nazar-Tyler Bertuzzi
Teuvo Teravainen-Jason Dickinson-Ilya Mikheyev
Colton Dach-Ryan Donato

Defensemen
Alex Vlasic-Louis Crevier
Wyatt Kaiser-Artyom Levshunov
Matt Grzelcyk-Connor Murphy
Sam Rinzel

Scratched
F-Landon Slaggert, F-Sam Lafferty

Injured
G-Laurent Brossoit (hip), F-Nick Foligno (hand)

Predators Probable Lines

Forwards
Steven Stamkos-Ryan O’Reilly-Luke Evangelista
Filip Forsberg-Erik Haula-Jonathan Marchessault
Michael Bunting-Michael McCarron-Ozzy Weisblatt
Reid Schaefer-Fyodor Svechkov-Miles Wood

Defensemen
Nic Hague-Roman Josi
Brady Skjei-Nick Perbix
Spencer Stastney-Nick Blankenburg

Scratched
F-Tyson Jost, D-Justin Barron, D-Adam Wilsby

Injured
F-Cole Smith (upper body), F-Zachary L’Heureux (lower body)

Goaltending Matchup

Arvid Soderblom (3-3-1, 3.46 GAA, .881 SV%, 0 SO) vs Juuse Saros (6-9-3, 3.08 GAA, .889 SV%, 0 SO)