Projected Lineup: Blackhawks vs. Predators

Rival Hawks Meet Preds for First Time in Many Months; Ryan Hartman Faces Club That Drafted Him

Irwin_lineup_hawks_1

© John Russell

By Thomas Willis @TomAWillis / Digital Manager & Producer

After nearly a year apart, two arch-rivals in the Central Division will meet in Nashville.
The Nashville Predators (17-8-1) are 1-2-0 so far on their five-game homestand and will face the Chicago Blackhawks for the first time in roughly 10 months. Tonight will also mark Preds winger Ryan Hartman's first contest against his former team, and Nashville's first time seeing Jeremy Colliton as the Hawks' head coach after he took over for Joel Quenneville in early November. The Hawks have dropped their last two games, giving up 14 goals in the process.
On Saturday morning,
the Preds recalled
forward Eeli Tolvanen from Milwaukee. Tolvanen has 11 points in 21 games for the Admirals this season.
The Predators held an optional morning skate on Saturday. Therefore, the below projected lineup is based on Thursday's game against the Arizona Coyotes:

Forwards
Filip Forsberg - Ryan Johansen - Kevin Fiala
Ryan Hartman - Calle Jarnkrok - Craig Smith
Colton Sissons - Nick Bonino - Austin Watson
Miikka Salomaki - Frederick Gaudreau - Rocco Grimaldi
Defense
Roman Josi - Ryan Ellis
Dan Hamhuis - Mattias Ekholm
Matt Irwin - Yannick Weber
Goaltenders
Pekka Rinne
Juuse Saros
Note: The Predators have not announced a starting goaltender for tonight's game

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