Predators at Blackhawks
THE STORY:
Payback will be on the minds of the Chicago Blackhawks when they host
the Nashville Predators on Tuesday. The Blackhawks absorbed a 5-2 loss
at Nashville on Saturday in the second of a back-to-back that snapped
their three-game winning streak. Chicago also encountered weather delays
en route to Tennessee and were playing on heavy legs after a late
arrival. Now it's the Predators' turn to face the Blackhawks in the
second of a back-to-back following a 4-1 thumping of the Columbus Blue
Jackets on Monday. The victory pulled Nashville within two points of the
Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues for second place in the hotly contested
Central Division race. The Predators will arrive in Chicago on a roll,
having won three straight and 11 of their last 13 games. Nashville has
also feasted on its division rivals, going 8-1 in its last nine versus
Central foes.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FS Tennessee, CS Chicago
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (29-16-4):
Goaltender Pekka Rinne continued his stellar play with his career-best
eighth consecutive victory Monday. Rinne, who also set a franchise
record for most wins in a row, has won 11 of his last 12 starts while
allowing only 20 goals. Mike Fisher scored twice Monday, helping
Nashville become the third team in the league with eight 10-goal
scorers. Martin Erat had a pair of assists, his fifth two-point game in
the last nine.
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (29-14-6): Chicago
received some unwanted news Monday when it learned captain Jonathan
Toews will sit out Tuesday’s game because of an upper-body injury. Toews
was hurt in Saturday’s loss at Nashville. He has scored a team-high 27
goals and is second on the squad with 50 points. Leading scorer Marian
Hossa scored two goals Saturday to extend his points streak to eight
games. Hossa has a pair of eight-game points streak in his last 21
contests.
OVERTIME:
1. Predators All-Star defenseman Ryan Suter returned from a three-game injury absence and collected two assists Monday.
2. Toews has 10 goals and 15 assists in 25 career games against the Predators.