NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa did not skate this morning but will play tonight when they face the Nashville Predators.
Corey Crawford will get the start.
The Blackhawks will be going for a franchise-record 12th consecutive victory tonight. They didn’t fare so well their last time in Nashville – the Predators won 5-1. The Blackhawks have improved in a lot of ways since then. That includes their road record, which is 6-1 since that Dec. 10 meeting in Nashville.
[SHOP: Gear up, Blackhawks fans!]
It’s good the Blackhawks have improved away from the United Center because seven of their next eight games, including tonight’s contest, are on the road.
“We have a real tough schedule here, not just going into the [All-Star] break but coming out of it,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “I just think the consistency of our game can make us an effective team. Now that we’ve got some momentum away from home we don’t want to change much. That’s the way you have success, playing home or away, is doing the right things all game long and everybody doing [them.]”
The Predators have struggled lately, going 3-5-2 in their last 10 games. Pekka Rinne is expected to start tonight.