Blackhawks Game Day
Blackhawks vs. Predators: Return From Break, Preview, Lineups, & How To Watch
The Chicago Blackhawks (22-26-9) play their first game out of the Olympic break against the Nashville Predators (26-24-7) at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday. It’s the start of the four-game road trip for the Blackhawks to begin their post-Olympic schedule.
Thursday marks the third of four meetings between the Central Division foes in the 2025-26 season, with the road team winning each of the first two matchups. The Predators came into the United Center and earned a 4-3 win on Nov. 28. Then, the Blackhawks got their revenge on Jan. 10, with a 3-0 victory at Bridgestone Arena. Drew Commesso recorded his first NHL win and shutout, stopping all 36 shots faced to even the season series.
The Olympic break was much-needed for a Blackhawks squad that was trending in the wrong direction in late January and early February. They had lost nine of their last 12 games and scored more than two goals only three times during that stretch. To make matters worse, the power play was also in the midst of the brutal cold streak, converting on only one of their last 33 opportunities leading into the break. Three weeks off will hopefully allow for a proper reset for the final 25 games of the season.
The Predators went on a run before the Olympics to get back into the Western Conference playoff picture, earning a point in 10 of their last 13 games (7-3-3). With 59 points through 57 games this season, Nashville sits four points back of the Seattle Kraken for the final playoff spot.
Here’s everything else to note before the puck drops at 7:00 p.m. CT in Nashville.
Blackhawks Projected Lineup
Forward Lines
Ryan Greene — Connor Bedard – Andre Burakovsky
Oliver Moore — Frank Nazar — Tyler Bertuzzi
Ryan Donato — Jason Dickinson — Ilya Mikheyev
Teuvo Teravainen — Nick Foligno — Landon Slaggert
Defensive Pairings
Alex Vlasic-Louis Crevier
Connor Murphy-Sam Rinzel
Matt Grzelcyk-Artyom Levshunov
Scratched
F — Colton Dach, D — Kevin Korchinski, F — Sam Lafferty
Injured
D — Wyatt Kaiser (lower body)
***
Teuvo Teravainen returned to practice on Wednesday after helping Finland earn a Bronze Medal at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Teravainen will skate on the fourth line with captain Nick Foligno and Landon Slaggert.
Kevin Korchinski was recalled from the AHL last week, but he’s expected to be on the odd man out against Nashville. The former first-round pick has only appeared in two NHL games this season, with one coming against Nashville on Jan. 10. Korchinski recorded an assist in 14:04 of ice time in the Blackhawks 3-0 win.
Wyatt Kaiser skated on his own before Wednesday’s practice but did not participate in the session. It was the first time Kaiser had skated since suffering a lower-body injury in the final game before the break on Feb. 4. Kaiser could join the Blackhawks for the latter half of their road trip.
Predators Projected Lineup
Forward Lines
Steven Stamkos — Ryan O’Reilly — Luke Evangelista
Filip Forsberg — Erik Haula* — Michael Bunting
Cole Smith — Michael McCarron* — Jonathan Marchessault
Zachary L’Heureux — Tyson Jost — Matthew Wood
Defensive Pairings
Justin Barron-Roman Josi
Brady Skjei-Adam Wilsby
Nicolas Hague-Nick Perbix
Scratched
D — Nick Blankenburg, F — Ozzy Wiesblatt
Injured
None
***
Erik Haula is listed as a game-time decision after a late return from the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Projected Goaltending Matchup
Spencer Knight (16-16-7, 2.62 GAA, .908 Sv%, 3 SO) vs. Juuse Saros (21-17-5, 3.20 GAA, .892 Sv%, 0 SO)
Knight will make his 40th start of the season for the Blackhawks. The 24-year-old is 3-0-0 with a 1.41 GAA and .939 Sv% in four career games against Nashville.
Saros is expected to make his 45th start of the season for the Predators. The 30-year-old netminder has given the Blackhawks fits over the years, with a 15-5-2 record, 2.21 GAA, .924 Sv%, and two shutouts in 23 career appearances against them.
2025-26 Results vs. Predators
The Blackhawks have earned points in three straight games at Bridgestone Arena and have logged points in four of their last five games against Nashville overall (2-1-2).
11/28/25 — 4-3 L, United Center
01/10/26 — 3-0 W, Bridgestone Arena
02/26/26 — Bridgestone Arena
03/22/26 — United Center
2025-26 Team Stats & Leaders
Chicago Blackhawks:
Goals — Tyler Bertuzzi (25)
Assists — Connor Bedard (30)
Points — Connor Bedard (53)
GF/GP — 2.65 (26th)
GA/GP — 3.16 (20th)
PP% — 19.1% (20th)
PK% — 85.7% (1st)
FOW% — 47% (30th)
Nashville Predators:
Goals — Steven Stamkos (28)
Assists — Ryan O’Reilly (36)
Points — Ryan O’Reilly (56)
GF/GP — 2.91 (21st)
GA/GP — 3.47 (28th)
PP% — 21.8% (13th)
PK% — 80% (13th)
FOW% — 51.5% (8th)
How To Watch, Listen, & Game Info
Chicago Blackhawks (22-26-9, 53 points) @ Nashville Predators (26-24-7, 59 points)
7:00 p.m. CT — Bridgestone Arena
Head Coaches: Jeff Blashill (CHI), Andrew Brunette (NSH)
TV/Stream: CHSN (Ball/Granato), FDSNSO
Radio: WGN 720 AM (Wiedeman/Konroyd)
For more Blackhawks news, visit Chicago Hockey Now and like our Facebook Page.
Follow us on X:
