tuch preview

BLACKHAWKS (6-7-4) at GOLDEN KNIGHTS (9-7-3)
10 p.m. ET; NBCSN

Tuch did not play during Vegas' four-game road trip because of an upper-body injury sustained against the Winnipeg Jets on Nov. 2. The forward also missed the first 13 games of the season with an upper-body injury sustained during a preseason game against the Los Angeles Kings on Sept. 27.
The Golden Knights, who are 7-0-0 against the Blackhawks, are 0-2-1 in their past three games and have lost six of eight (2-3-3). Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury will start and try to win his 449th game in the NHL.
Chicago has won three of its past five (3-1-1) after losing six of seven (1-4-2). Goalie Corey Crawford will start for the third time in four games.

Players to watch

Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane has 11 points (five goals, six assists) during a six-game point streak.
Golden Knights forward Max Pacioretty has scored four goals in his past five games.

They said it

"I thought we were good against them [a 2-1 shootout victory for Vegas at United Center on Oct. 22]. Probably deserved better. We didn't score on our chances, thought we defended well. We'll take that with us, but at the same time, it's a new game." -- Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton
"We need a little bit more hunger, I think. We're at our best when we're playing fast, we're trying hard to run the forecheck and we're trying to possess the puck in the zone. I think as a whole we're missing a little bit of a step." -- Golden Knights forward Alex Tuch

Blackhawks projected lineup
Golden Knights projected lineup
Status report

Caggiula was placed in concussion protocol. … Murphy could return Saturday.

Stat pack

Keith is one goal from 100 in the NHL. … Stastny is three points from 700 in the NHL.