Game Preview : The Front End

Chicago Blackhawks (27-5-4) @ Nashville Predators (38 2pts 15-15-8)2 PM Bridgestone Arena - Nashville, TNTV: CSN ChicagoRadio: WGN 720 AM

Season Series

Date	Score	W. Goal
Apr 19 '13
Apr 07 '13
Apr 06 '13
Apr 01 '13	NSH 2 at CHI 3 - SO	M. Rozsival
Feb 10 '13	CHI 3 at NSH 0	M. Kruger

The Blackhawks start a weekend home and home series with their division rivals, the Nashville Predators. Saturday Broadway Street will be turning into Chicago south before the two teams meet again at the United Center tomorrow. The good news about playing a team three times in six days is that my previews are going to be short and sweet. Dave Bolland and Patrick Sharp did not make the trip to Tennessee for today's game. Sharp is taking is time coming back from his shoulder injury and Bolland is still feeling the effects of taking a Shea Weber slap shot off the foot. Not sure why he played against the Blues on Thursday if he was hurt. Both are questionable to return tomorrow night as well.

Since we last saw the Predators on Monday they dropped their last game to Columbus on Thursday. Missing from the Preds lineup this weekend is Martin Erat, who was shipped to the Washington Capitals for prospect Filip Foresberg. I do think the Preds scored a big return for Erat, but I found it odd that a team fighting for their playoff life would trade away their leading scorer. Mike Fischer, who missed Monday's game returned on Thursday. He was moved out of his normal 2nd line center position and filled Erat's vacant RW spot on the top line.

Probable Blackhawks lineup

Forwards

Brandon Saad - Jonathan Toews - Marian Hossa
Patrick Kane - Marcus Kruger - Michael Frolik
Viktor Stalberg - Andrew Shaw - Bryan Bickell
Brandon Bollig - Michal Handzus - Jamal Mayers