7:00 PM CT – Blackhawks (29-13-6) @ Predators (27-16-4)
Players to watch:
CHI- Patrick Kane
Last night, Kane scored his first goal since Jan. 5, his second since Dec. 18. Is he finally off the schnide? Kane tends to bring his best vs. Nashville.
NSH- Martin Erat
Not only does Erat have nine points in the last seven games, but the Preds are 9-1-0 this season when he scores.
Starting goaltenders:
CHI- Corey Crawford (2011-12 stats: 18-10-4, 2.81 GAA)
NSH- Pekka Rinne (2011-12 stats: 25-11-4, 2.44 GAA)
Injury report:
CHI- Patrick Sharp (wrist, out), Dan Carcillo (knee, out)
NSH- Ryan Suter (upper body, doubtful)
Keys to the game:
CHI- Play full 60 minutes… Chicago is one of the league leaders in win percentage when scoring first, and possesses a +18 goal differential in the third period. Despite that, in a back-to-back situation, they’ll need to have a strong 60-minute effort against a Preds club that is accustomed to coming back from any deficit.
NSH- Sharp Rinne in net… Since Dec. 28, Rinne has a 9-1-0 record with a 1.68 GAA and .949 save percentage. On Thursday, he made 38 saves in a shutout over Columbus. He’ll need to continue that great play tonight against the high-flying ‘Hawks.
Numbers to know:
- The Preds are 14-7-3 at home this season … Chicago is 10-8-2 on the road.
- The Preds are 8-2-2 against the Central Division this season … Chicago is 7-1-2.
- This is the second head-to-head meeting this season. The Blackhawks won the first meeting, 5-4 in OT, in Chicago. The season series was split last season, as both teams each won twice at home.
- All-time, the Preds are 19-12-6 on home-ice against the Blackhawks.
- The Blackhawks are 7-2-1 on the back end of back-to-back’s this season; they beat Florida 3-1 last night.
- Pekka Rinne is 6-6-1 with a 2.53 GAA and .918 save percentage in 14 career games vs. the Blackhawks. His likely counterpart, Corey Crawford, is 3-1-1 with a 1.96 GAA and .927 save percentage in 5 career games vs. Nashville.
- Martin Erat has 14 points in his last 15 games vs. Chicago.
- Power play rankings: Nashville (21.4%, 2nd) … Chicago (18.9%, 10th)
- Penalty kill: Nashville (83.0%, 11th) … Chicago (78.5%, 26th)
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