NEWSLETTER
Tonight is the first time the Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators will meet since January 26-27. Chicago has out-performed their expectations up to this point in the season and are in the playoff hunt in the Central Division. For the Predators, they have essentially lived up to their expectations as a bottom-four finisher in the Division and a potential playoff bubble team. Where each team finishes the season will greatly depend on the next six meetings between them, which will happen over the next 27 days. Chicago enters the game having just swept the Florida Panthers in a two-game set, while Nashville is coming into the series on a three-game winning streak.
Broadcast Info
Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. CT
TV: NBCSCH, FS-Tennessee
Radio: WGN 720 AM / TUDN 1200 AM
Expected Lineups
Blackhawks (16-13-5, 37 pts)
DeBrincat – Suter – Kane
Kubalík – Kämpf – Hagel
Janmark – Dach – Strome
Carpenter – Söderberg – Kurashev
de Haan – Boqvist
Keith – Beaudin
Murphy– Zadorov
Lankinen
Subban
Predators (16-17-1, 33 pts)
Forsberg – Johansen – Tolvanen
Järnkrok – Granlund – Arvidsson
Cousins – Haula – Grimaldi
Trenin – Sissons – Olivier
Josi – Fabbro
Ekholm – Carrier
Harpur – Benning
Saros
Rinne
Injury Report
Blackhawks:
Brent Seabrook (LTIR – Retirement)
Zack Smith (LTIR – Back)
Andrew Shaw (LTIR – Concussion)
Alex Nylander (LTIR – Knee)
Jonathan Toews (LTIR – Illness)
Predators:
Brad Richardson (Day-to-day – Lower Body)
Mark Borowiecki (Week-to-week – Upper Body)
Matt Duchene (Day-to-day – Lower Body)
Ryan Ellis (Week-to-week – Upper Body)
Luca Sbisa (Day-to-day – Upper Body)
Betting Odds
The Blackhawks are -1.5 point favorites against the Predators tonight, and find themselves at -115 on the moneyline according to the DraftKings Illinois Sportsbook. You can go right here to sign up and make a bet.
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What To Watch For
• Chicago’s penalty-killing unit had been abysmal for the previous five games heading into Thursday’s contest against the Florida Panthers. They had given up at least one powerplay goal against in five-straight games, but were able to shut-down the Florida powerplay on Thursday night going six-for-six on the kill. If the Blackhawks can continue that momentum, they may be able to find their first win against the Predators this season.
• Kirby Dach makes his long awaited return to the Blackhawks’ lineup after missing the first three months of the season after having surgery to repair a broken wrist. FINALLY.
• Patrick Kane has 61 career points in 67 games against the Nashville Predators, the fourth-most points against one team in his career. While he leads the Blackhawks in scoring this season, he has not registered a point in two games against Nashville yet this season. The Predators held him to just two shots on goal in the first two meetings back on January 26-27, while he averaged 24:08 minutes in each game. At the United Center this season, Kane has 28 points in 15 games.
Get Caught Up …
Hey, what’s up, Dach?!
Forward Kirby Dach is returning to action TONIGHT!#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/nFpN3jqNI3
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 27, 2021
Kirby Dach getting a look with the first power play unit in the morning skate pic.twitter.com/vBwXA9hDpR
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) March 27, 2021
Colliton confirms Lankinen starting.
"No lineup, I still need to have a couple conversations."
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) March 27, 2021
https://twitter.com/johndietzdh/status/1375846372423909380?s=20
