Series Preview: Blackhawks vs Predators, April 19th, 21st, and 23rd, 2021

This is the moment the 2021 season has been building to for Chicago.

With just 11 games remaining, the Blackhawks are just two points out of a Stanley Cup Playoff spot and have three-straight games against the team the directly trail; the Nashville Predators. Still looking for their first win of the season over Nashville, the Blackhawks have nine of their final 11 games this season against teams in a current playoff position, so every game and every point is up for grabs in a playoff-like atmosphere from here on out.

This series could put the Blackhawks back in playoff position, or it could be the final nail in the coffin.

One-Timers

•   Juuse Saros has turned in four 40-save performances in the last month, going 10-4-0 with a .952 save percentage and 1.56 goals-against average. He’s beaten the Blackhawks twice during that span, stopping 70 of 71 attempts.

•   Since Game 1 of the 2017 first-round sweep, the Hawks are 5-12-4 against the Predators (including 0-3-2 this year). They’ve scored more than 2 goals only TWICE in those 21 games.

•   Vinnie Hinostroza matched a single-game career high with three assists in the Blackhawks’ win on Saturday night. It was his seventh career three-point game. He has five assists in six games with the Blackhawks since being re-acquired on April 2nd.

Puck Drops and Broadcast Info

•   Monday, April 19th at 7:00 p.m. CT
TV: NBCSCH, BSSO
Radio: WGN 720 AM / TUDN 1200 AM

•   Wednesday, April 21st at 6:00 p.m. CT
TV: NBCSN
Radio: WGN 720 AM / TUDN 1200 AM

•   Friday, April 23rd at 7:00 p.m. CT
TV: NBCSCH+, BSSO, ESPN+
Radio: WGN 720 AM / TUDN 1200 AM

Expected Lineups

Blackhawks (21-19-5, 47 pts)

DeBrincat – Dach – Strome
Hagel – Suter – Kane

Kubalík – Kurashev – Hinostroza
Connolly – Kämpf – Carpenter

Keith – Kalynuk
Zadorov – Murphy
Stillman – Mitchell

Lankinen
Subban

Predators (24-21-1, 49 pts)

Grimaldi – Johansen – Arvidsson
Järnkrok – Granlund – Kunin
Cousins – Haula – Duchene
Trenin – Sissons – Jeannot

Josi – Benning
Ekholm – Ellis
Harpur – Gudbranson

Saros
Rinne

Tale of the Tape

Powerplay
Blackhawks: 23.7% (7th)
Predators: 18.9% (22nd)

Penalty-Kill
Blackhawks: 74.8% (28th)
Predators: 74.8% (29th)

Faceoffs
Blackhawks: 46.8% (28th)
Predators: 51.6% (8th)

Goals Per Game
Blackhawks: 2.78 (18th)
Predators: 2.52 (26th)

Goals Against Per Game
Blackhawks: 3.04 (20th)
Predators: 2.83 (16th)

Top Scorer
Blackhawks: Patrick Kane – 15 goals, 41 assists, 56 points
Predators: Filip Forsberg – 11 goals, 18 assists, 29 points

Injury Report

Blackhawks:

Calvin de Haan (Day-to-day – Hip)
Adam Boqvist (Day-to-day – Concussion)
Brent Seabrook (LTIR – Retirement)
Zack Smith (LTIR – Back)
Andrew Shaw (LTIR – Concussion)
Alex Nylander (LTIR  – Knee)
Jonathan Toews (LTIR – Illness)

Predators: 

Filip Forsberg (Week-to-week – Upper Body)
Brad Richardson (Day-to-day – Lower Body)
Mark Borowiecki (Week-to-week – Upper Body)
Luca Sbisa (Day-to-day – Upper Body)
Matt Benning (Day-to-day – Upper Body)
Alexandre Carrier (Week-to-week – Lower Body)
Mathieu Olivier (Week-to-week – Lower Body)
Eeli Tolvanen (Week-to-week – Lower Body)
Dante Fabbro (Week-to-week – Upper Body)

Keep An Eye Out For

Patrick Kane Breaking Out Of His “Slump.” After scoring 11 goals in the first month and a half of the season, Kane has scored just four goals in 22 games since the beginning of March. Kane has not scored this season against the Predators, the only team he has yet to score against, and has just two assists in the five meetings this season. He is still third in the NHL in points (56), but will have to be super-Kane to help the Blackhawks overcome the Predators stifling defense.

Building A Wall, Brick By Brick. Juuse Saros and Pekka Rinne have been monsters against the Blackhawks this season, teaming up for a .960 save-percentage and a .892 high-danger save-percentage in five games against Chicago. Of all Central Division opponents, Nashville has had the best team-goaltending against the Blackhawks this season.

written by

Mario Tirabassi is a writer for Bleacher Nation. You can follow him on Twitter @Mario_Tirabassi.

more blackhawks news

These 3 Blackhawks Veterans Are Having Terrific Seasons

Entering Thursday night's action, the Chicago Blackhawks have the second-worst point percentage in the NHL -- even while they're 6-4-0 in their last 10 games. And they own the second-worst goal differential in the league (minus-76). It's been a long,...

The Greatest Sports Watching Day of the Year, Next Year’s TV, an IceHogs Stunner, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Congratulations, sports fans! Today, March 28, 2024 is the greatest sports viewing day of the calendar year. Hands down, lock it up, no competition. It's Opening Day in MLB and Sweet 16 day one in the NCAA men's basketball tournament....

NHL Notes: Penguins Paradox, Torts Apologizes, Doan’s Dazzling Debut, Rangers Punch Ticket, More

It's a mid-week edition of NHL Notes and we have plenty to cover around the league. The Penguins find themselves with a tricky decision as their season draws to a close. John Tortorella dished out an apology to one of...

We Need to Talk About Jason Dickinson As a Selke Trophy Candidate — Again

Back in early February as the Blackhawks wrapped their pre-All-Star Game schedule, I wrote about Jason Dickinson's case for Selke Trophy votes. We're now ten games away from the end of Chicago's regular season, and with Dickinson reaching 20 goals...

Slaggert’s Big Night, Bedard’s Tape, Felcman to Rockford, Anderson, Tinordi, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

I'm gonna continue to smile, just like Landon Slaggert, because of his performance in last night's Blackhawks win. The former Notre Dame captain had his parents and young brother in the stands and he had one helluva game last night....

Blackhawks 3, Flames 1 — Three Stars, Key Takeaways

The message Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson was trying to get across with Monday's bag skate clearly landed. The start Chicago had on Tuesday night was a polar opposite of what they showed in the three games in California. They...

Blackhawks vs Flames – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

After a disappointing road trip that saw the Blackhawks get smoked for 7 of 9 periods, the team got a bag skate on Monday to think about their effort. They'll get back on the ice tonight in front of a...

Happy Birthday Luke, Bag Skate Monday, Bedard vs. Faber, Saturday Cartoons, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Chicago Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson is celebrating a birthday today. He's celebrating his Korchinski year; today is his 55th birthday. Happy birthday, Luke! Hope you get a win tonight so you can celebrate with some wine. There have been...

Blackhawks Prospects, Draft Hopefuls Ready for OHL Playoffs

The Ontario Hockey League playoffs begin this week on Thursday. The Chicago Blackhawks will have five prospects still playing in the OHL postseason: Gavin Hayes (Sault Ste. Marie), Paul Ludwinski (Kingston), Nick Lardis (Brantford), Alex Pharand (Sudbury) and Martin Misiak...

When Do Blackhawks Prospects Play in the NCAA Tournament?

On Sunday we learned the Chicago Blackhawks will have six prospects playing in the NCAA men's ice hockey tournament this year. Games on the road to the Frozen Four begin on Thursday. Here's the schedule of games including Blackhawks' prospects...

Latest News

Buffalo Bills 1st Round Mock Draft: Wild Crossroads at 28 – Offense or Defense?

The Buffalo Bills stand at a crossroads. The 2024 NFL Draft looms, and the 28th pick presents a fascinating dilemma. This Buffalo Bills 1st Round Mock Draft analyzes 10 different options that could be available to them at their current...

How to Watch Celtics vs. Hawks: Live Stream or on TV

The Atlanta Hawks (33-39) hope to continue a three-game home winning stretch when hosting the Boston Celtics (57-15) on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET.In their last time out, the Celtics lost 120-118 to the Hawks on Monday....

Rangers vs. Cubs Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Texas Rangers open their season as -120 favorites in a home matchup with the Chicago Cubs on Thursday at 7:35 PM ET, live on ESPN.Nathan Eovaldi will get the ball for Texas while Chicago will counter with Justin Steele.Rangers...

Dejounte Murray Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Celtics – Thursday, March 28, 2024

Will Dejounte Murray make four 3-pointers when the Atlanta Hawks face the Boston Celtics on Thursday at 7:30 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Dejounte Murray's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the CelticsDejounte Murray's over/under for three-pointers...

Bogdan Bogdanovic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Celtics – Thursday, March 28, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, Bogdan Bogdanovic needs to make three from beyond the arc on Thursday, when his Atlanta Hawks meet the Boston Celtics on Thursday at 7:30 PM ET.Bogdan Bogdanovic's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the CelticsBogdan Bogdanovic's over/under...

Jayson Tatum Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

At 7:30 PM ET on Thursday, it'll be the Boston Celtics versus the Atlanta Hawks, with Jayson Tatum needing three treys to beat his 3-pointer prop.Jayson Tatum's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksJayson Tatum's over/under for three-pointers in this game:...

Jaylen Brown Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

To beat his 3-point prop, Jaylen Brown must make three from beyond the arc on Thursday, when his Boston Celtics play the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday at 7:30 PM ET.Jaylen Brown's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksJaylen Brown's over/under for...

Derrick White Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

To beat his 3-point prop, Derrick White needs to make three from beyond the arc on Thursday, when his Boston Celtics meet the Atlanta Hawks, starting at 7:30 PM ET.Derrick White's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksDerrick White's over/under for...

BetMGM Promo Code Boosts Your First Bet Up to $1,500 for MLB, NCAA Tourney, and Beyond

The 2024 baseball season is upon us! But before the first pitch is thrown, why not enhance your MLB betting experience with the BetMGM Promo Code welcome offer. With Opening Day right around the corner, baseball fans are eager to...

WOW: Minnesota Timberwolves Sale to Alex Rodriguez Falls Through

The Minnesota Timberwolves dropped a bomb on Thursday morning. According to a statement released by the Timberwolves and Lynx ownership group, the franchise is no longer for sale. A transition of power was thought to be in place over the...

more blackhawks news