Cam Ward will start for the Chicago Blackhawks as they wrap up their preseason schedule by hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday at the United Center.
Ward allowed six goals on 17 shots to the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday. He also made 13 saves on 15 shots in his Hawks debut against the Blue Jackets in a 4-2 loss on Sept. 18 in Columbus.
Chicago will stick with its top line of Alex DeBrincat, Jonathan Toews and Dominik Kahun. Winger Patrick Kane will be in action after sitting out Chicago’s 2-1 home loss to the Ottawa Senators on Friday. Kane will skate with Brandon Saad and Nick Schmaltz on the second line. Toews scored his team-leading third goal of the preseason in the Hawks’ loss to Ottawa.
Coach Joel Quenneville doesn’t expect forward Dylan Sikura to play.
The Blue Jackets are 3-4 in the preseason, including a 7-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in their last outing. Cam Atkinson leads Columbus in scoring with three goals and four assists.
Lineups
Blackhawks
#Blackhawks lines at morning skate
DeBrincat-Toews-Kahun
Saad-Schmaltz-Kane
Kunitz-Anisimov-Kampf
Hayden-Kruger-MartinsenLuke Johnson isn’t here. He’s day-to-day with flu-like symptoms.
— Madeline Kenney (@madkenney) September 29, 2018
Quenneville said it’s unlikely Sikura will play tonight’s preseason finale. #Blackhawks might’ve made their decision.
— Madeline Kenney (@madkenney) September 29, 2018
Blue Jackets
Playing groups for #CBJ vs #Blackhawks tonight. pic.twitter.com/cKRlunHa4S
— Brian Hedger (@JacketsInsider) September 29, 2018
How to watch
Start time: 7 p.m. Central
Location: United Center, Chicago
TV: WGN, NHL Network