Blackhawks at Predators
THE STORY: The Chicago Blackhawks will attempt to extend their streak of consecutive games with a point to eight when they face off against the host Nashville Predators on Saturday. Chicago improved to 5-0-2 in its last seven contests with a 3-1 victory over the Florida Panthers on Friday. It was the third consecutive triumph for the league-leading Blackhawks, who have dropped three in a row on the road. Nashville, which is six points behind Chicago in the Central Division, has been one of the NHL's hottest teams. The Predators have won three in a row and 10 of 12 at home while capturing nine of 11 overall.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FSN Tennessee (Nashville)
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (29-13-6): Two players extended streaks in Friday's win while two others ended lengthy droughts. Captain Jonathan Toews made it six straight games with a point by scoring his 27th goal of the season and Marian Hossa ran his streak to seven contests with an assist. Toews is second in the league to Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos (30) in tallies. Patrick Kane halted his seven-game goal-scoring drought and defenseman Duncan Keith scored for the first time since Nov. 13, ending his 29-game dry spell.
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (27-16-4): Pekka Rinne has been outstanding of late, winning each of his last six starts and 15 of 18. Rinne has allowed a total of eight goals during his current streak and more than two tallies only four times over his last 15 victories. Nashville hopes to have Ryan Suter back in the lineup. The defenseman has missed the last two games after suffering an upper-body injury in Monday's road victory over the New York Islanders.
OVERTIME:
1. The Predators have won six of their last seven meetings with Central Division opponents. Chicago has won 20 of 27 against division rivals.
2. The Blackhawks are 4-0-2 over the last six games in the all-time series.