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Predators seek first win in Chicago to even series

Saturday, 04.25.2015 / 1:54 PM

By Robby Stanley - NHL.com Correspondent / Predators-Blackhawks series blog

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Predators-Blackhawks series blog
Predators seek first win in Chicago to even series

CHICAGO -- The Nashville Predators again will try to stay alive in Game 6 of their Western Conference First Round series against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday (8 p.m. ET; NBC, SN, TVA Sports 2).

Chicago has a 3-2 lead in the best-of-7 series and won the first two games at home. Nashville won 5-2 at home in Game 5 to stay alive.

Nashville played well in Games 3 and 4 at United Center but was not able to win.

"There's a lot of confidence in this room," Predators defenseman Roman Josi said. "I think we've been playing some really good hockey, even in the games we lost. It's definitely a confident room, and all we're worried about is tonight."

Predators forward Filip Forsberg had the first Stanley Cup Playoffs hat trick in their history in Game 5, and the first hat trick of his NHL career.

"It's the same situation coming in here," Forsberg said. "We have to win. I think we've just got to keep going on the attack. I think that's the biggest thing."

The Predators did a good job of making Blackhawks goaltender Scott Darling move side-to-side in Game 5 to create offense.

"He obviously covers a lot of the net, so if he doesn't have to move too much, he's going to save the puck," Josi said. "I think we did a pretty good job, made a couple of nice plays in the third. That goal Filip scored was a nice pass by [Mike Fisher]. That's always tough for a goalie."

Fisher returned to the lineup in Game 5 after missing Games 2-4 with a lower-body injury. He had an assist in his return and spent the majority of the time matched up with Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews.

Nashville said Friday that defenseman Shea Weber would miss the rest of the series with a lower-body injury. Weber sustained the injury in Game 2 on a hit behind the net from Chicago forward Brandon Saad.

Here are the projected lineups:

PREDATORS

Filip ForsbergMike RibeiroJames Neal

Colin WilsonMike FisherCraig Smith

Matt CullenCalle JarnkrokViktor Stalberg

Mike SantorelliPaul GaustadTaylor Beck

Roman JosiSeth Jones

Mattias EkholmCody Franson

Victor BartleyRyan Ellis

Pekka Rinne

Carter Hutton

Scratched: Anton Volchenkov, Viktor Arvidsson, Gabriel Bourque, Kevin Fiala, Colton Sissons, Austin Watson, Johan Alm, Anthony Bitetto, Joe Piskula, Marek Mazanec, Magnus Hellberg

Injured: Eric Nystrom (lower body), Shea Weber (lower body)

BLACKHAWKS

Brandon SaadJonathan ToewsMarian Hossa

Kris VersteegBrad RichardsPatrick Kane

Bryan BickellAntoine VermettePatrick Sharp

Andrew DesjardinsMarcus KrugerAndrew Shaw

Johnny OduyaNiklas Hjalmarsson

Duncan KeithMichal Rozsival

Kimmo TimonenBrent Seabrook

Scott Darling

Corey Crawford

Scratched: Joakim Nordstrom, Teuvo Teravainen, Kyle Cumiskey, David Rundblad, Michael Paliotta, Antti Raanta

Injured: Daniel Carcillo (upper body)

Status report: Bourque participated in the morning skate after missing Game 5. Wilson and Smith did not participate but are expected to play.

Who's hot: Forsberg has four goals; Wilson has five goals in the series, four on the power play.

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