Hutton, Predators chase fourth consecutive win

Tuesday, 12.17.2013 / 1:08 PM

By NHL.com Staff - / 2013-2014 At the Rink Blog

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Carter Hutton will make a fourth consecutive start in goal for the Nashville Predators as they try to extend their winning streak to four games Tuesday in a game against the Central Division-leading Chicago Blackhawks.

Hutton has stopped 97 of 101 shots (.960 save percentage) in leading the Predators to wins over the New York Rangers, Dallas Stars and San Jose Sharks.

Marek Mazanec, the NHL's Rookie of the Month for November, wasn't feeling well Tuesday morning but was expected to dress as Hutton's backup against the Blackhawks, who lead the overall League standings with 53 points and also have the No. 1-ranked offense at 3.64 goals per game.

Chicago activated forward Bryan Bickell off injured reserve Monday. Bickell had five goals and one assist in 22 games before a lower-body injury sidelined him for the past 14 games. He was on a line with Brandon Saad and Andrew Shaw at the morning skate Tuesday.

To clear space for Bickell's return, forward Jeremy Morin was reassigned to Rockford of the American Hockey League.

Antti Raanta was the first goalie off the ice at the Blackhawks' morning skate and will start. Raanta is 6-1-1 and comes off a 21-save performance in a 3-1 win against the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday.

Here's how the lineups could look Tuesday for the Blackhawks and Predators:

BLACKHAWKS

Patrick Sharp - Jonathan Toews - Marian Hossa

Kris Versteeg - Michal Handzus - Patrick Kane

Bryan Bickell - Andrew Shaw - Brandon Saad

Brandon Bollig - Marcus Kruger - Ben Smith

Duncan Keith - Brent Seabrook

Johnny Oduya - Niklas Hjalmarsson

Nick Leddy -- Sheldon Brookbank

Antti Raanta

Kent Simpson

Scratched: Michal Rozsival, Michael Kostka