Predators at Blackhawks preview

PREDATORS (2-2-0) at BLACKHAWKS (3-1-1)
8:30 p.m. ET; WGN, FS-TN, NHL.TV

Chicago has lost two of its past three games following a 2-0-0 start, when they outscored the opposition 15-2.
Goaltender Corey Crawford is expected to start for the Blackhawks, and goaltender Pekka Rinne for the Predators.
This is the first time Chicago and Nashville have faced each other since the Predators defeated the No. 1-seeded Blackhawks in four games in the Western Conference First Round last season.

Players to watch

Predators forward Filip Forsberg has six points (four goals, two assists) in four games. His three power-play goals are tied for second in the League.
Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane has seven points (two goals, five assists) in five games.

They said it

"They have a great team game, they always have, going back however many years back you want to go. It's always a difficult team game playing Nashville. Tough to get to the net, tough to generate scoring chances. I think they've added some game-breakers, I think they've added a lot of speed in their game and they are good on the road as well. They've been a rival of ours for a long period of time." -- Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp on the Predators
"There's confidence, especially when you come back 0-2 and you're waiting to turn things around. We're just trying to get better every day, and I think we have. From the Boston game, where I didn't like it at all, to the Pittsburgh game where I thought we were more competitive, to an inconsistent game [against Philadelphia] to a much more complete game [against Dallas]." -- Predators coach Peter Laviolette on Nashville's 0-2-0 start

Predators projected lineup

Filip Forsberg -- Ryan Johansen -- Viktor Arvidsson
Scott Hartnell -- Nick Bonino -- Pontus Aberg
Craig Smith -- Calle Jarnkrok -- Kevin Fiala
Austin Watson -- Colton Sissons -- Miikka Salomaki
Roman Josi -- Matt Irwin
Alexei Emelin -- P.K. Subban
Mattias Ekholm -- Samuel Girard
Pekka Rinne
Juuse Saros
Scratched: Anthony Bitetto, Cody McLeod
Injured: Ryan Ellis (knee), Yannick Weber (upper body)

Blackhawks projected lineup

Brandon Saad -- Jonathan Toews -- Richard Panik
Ryan Hartman -- Tanner Kero -- Patrick Kane
Patrick Sharp -- Artem Anisimov -- Alex DeBrincat
Lance Bouma -- Tommy Wingels -- John Hayden
Duncan Keith -- Brent Seabrook
Michal Kempny -- Cody Franson
Gustav Forsling -- Jan Rutta
Corey Crawford
Anton Forsberg
Scratched: Connor Murphy, Jordan Oesterle
Injured:Nick Schmaltz (upper body)

Status report

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said Schmaltz is close to returning, but won't play Saturday. He has missed the past three games. Franson will play in place of Murphy. ... Josi, who has missed the past two games with a lower-body injury, practiced Friday and could return, replacing Weber, who is day to day.

Stat pack

Hartman leads the Blackhawks with eight points (two goals, six assists). ... Chicago has outscored its opponents 11-1 in the first period this season. ... Nashville ranks fourth in the League in power-play percentage (31.6) and has six power-play goals, which is tied for second. The Toronto Maple Leafs lead the NHL with eight.