Preview: Kings at Blackhawks

KINGS (4-4-0) at BLACKHAWKS (4-3-1)
7 p.m. ET; FS-W, CSN-CH, NHL.TV

Kings team scope

The Los Angeles Kings will be without defenseman Brayden McNabb, who was placed on injured reserve Sunday after sustaining an upper-body injury in the third period of a 1-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday. "We need him back," defenseman Drew Doughty told the Kings website after the game. "Brayden's a big part of this team. He doesn't get talked about enough. He's played unbelievable so far this season, and playing with him has made it easy on me, so hopefully he can come back." Sutter is seeking his 600th career NHL coaching win. With McNabb out, defenseman Matt Greene likely will enter the lineup. When he's played this season, Greene mostly has played with Derek Forbort as his defense partner. Goalie Peter Budaj has started the past five game for the Kings, who haven't announced a starting goalie and didn't hold a morning skate.

Blackhawks team scope

The Chicago Blackhawks have at least a point in three straight games, scoring a late goal to force overtime in each, but they'd like to avoid the need for comebacks. "There's some positives, but we still have to grow and get better," defenseman Brian Campbell said. "We don't want to be trying to win games the way we are winning them or tying them right now. We want to be in the lead and be protecting the lead, and playing up-tempo." Rookie forward Vincent Hinostroza is looking to help the offense after being scratched the past four games. Coach Joel Quenneville said Hinostroza likely will play. "We want him to have energy," Quenneville said. "He gives us some speed, some quickness, and if he has the puck, he's dangerous. He can be a very useful guy for us." Goalie Corey Crawford will start. Right wing Marian Hossa, whose 500th career NHL goal will be celebrated with a pregame ceremony, will play after a maintenance day Saturday
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Kings projected lineup

Dwight King -- Anze Kopitar -- Tyler Toffoli
Tanner Pearson -- Jeff Carter -- Devin Setoguchi
Andy Andreoff -- Nic Dowd -- Dustin Brown
Kyle Clifford -- Nicholas Shore -- Trevor Lewis
Jake Muzzin -- Drew Doughty
Alec Martinez -- Tom Gilbert
Matt Greene -- Derek Forbort
Peter Budaj
Jack Campbell
Scratched:Teddy Purcell, Jordan Nolan
Injured:Marian Gaborik (lower body), Jonathan Quick (lower body), Jeff Zatkoff (lower body), Brayden McNabb (upper body)

Blackhawks projected lineup

Richard Panik -- Jonathan Toews -- Patrick Kane
Artemi Panarin -- Artem Anisimov -- Marian Hossa
Tyler Motte -- Marcus Kruger -- Ryan Hartman
Vincent Hinostroza -- Dennis Rasmussen -- Jordin Tootoo
Duncan Keith -- Brian Campbell
Niklas Hjalmarsson -- Brent Seabrook
Michal Kempny -- Michal Rozsival
Corey Crawford
Scott Darling
Scratched:Nick Schmaltz
Injured:Gustav Forsling (upper body), Trevor van Riemsdyk (upper body), Andrew Desjardins (lower body)

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Status report

Purcell hasn't played in the past six games, and Nolan has been scratched the past five games. One or both might draw into the lineup. … Campbell hasn't played this season. … Desjardins, who was injured in Chicago's final preseason game, skated on his own before practice Saturday and participated in the morning skate Sunday. Desjardins didn't put a timeline on his return. … Forsling will not play but has practiced the past two days. He is targeting Tuesday against the Calgary Flames for his return.

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Who's hot

Anisimov has five goals, five assists and 10 points in the past six games. … Martinez has two goals and four assists in the past five games.