The Chicago Blackhawks (26-31-12) host a Central Division opponent for the second time in three days, as the Nashville Predators (32-28-9) come to the United Center for the fourth and final meeting of the 2025-26 season on Sunday afternoon.
The Predators have won two of the first three matchups this year, defeating the Blackhawks 4-3 on Nov. 28 and 4-2 on Feb. 26. Chicago’s lone victory occurred on Jan. 10, winning 3-0 behind Drew Commesso’s first NHL win and shutout. In the last game, which was both teams’ return from the Olympic break, Nashville rallied from a 2-1 third-period deficit and scored three unanswered goals. Filip Forsberg, Matthew Wood (PP), Ryan O’Reilly, and Steven Stamkos (EN) were the goal scorers for the Predators in the 4-2 win. Connor Bedard and Tyler Bertuzzi (PP) scored for the Blackhawks.
Last time out, the Blackhawks were no match for the league-leading Colorado Avalanche, falling 4-1 at the United Center on Friday. Nathan MacKinnon recorded three assists, while Martin Necas, Brock Nelson (PP), Nazem Kadri (PP), and Valeri Nuchushkin found the back of the net. Wyatt Kaiser was the lone goal scorer for the Blackhawks, who dropped all three meetings with the Avalanche this season.
The Predators are playing in the second half of a back-to-back and looking for their second win in as many days on Sunday. Stamkos led the charge in a 4-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday afternoon at Bridgestone Arena, scoring twice and adding an assist. Tyson Jost (SH) and O’Reilly (PP) also scored, while Justus Annunen stopped 39 of 40 shots faced in net.
Nashville has won three straight games and earned a point in six of its last eight entering Sunday. With their recent hot stretch, the Predators are up to 73 points in 69 games this season and currently sit in the second and final Wild Card playoff spot in the Western Conference. They are one point ahead of the Los Angeles Kings (72 points in 69 games) and two points clear of the Seattle Kraken (71 points in 69 games). It’s shaping up to be a fascinating final stretch to the regular season, with six teams separated by only 6 points for the final playoff spot.
Here’s everything else to note before the puck drops at 2:00 p.m. CT in Chicago.
Blackhawks Projected Lineup
Forward Lines
Ryan Greene — Connor Bedard — Andre Burakovsky
Tyler Bertuzzi — Frank Nazar — Teuvo Teravainen
Landon Slaggert — Ryan Donato — Ilya Mikheyev
Nick Lardis — Dominic Toninato — Sam Lafferty
Defensive Pairings
Alex Vlasic-Artyom Levshunov
Wyatt Kaiser-Sam Rinzel
Matt Grzelcyk-Ethan Del Mastro
Scratched
F — Sacha Boisvert (visa)
Injured
D — Louis Crevier (undisclosed), F — Andrew Mangiapane (undisclosed), F — Oliver Moore (lower body)
***
The Blackhawks did not hold a morning skate, so the forward lines and defensive pairings listed above are from Friday’s loss to Colorado. Louis Crevier and Andrew Mangiapane are both expected to miss a second consecutive game, but could make their returns during the upcoming road trip.
Predators Projected Lineup
Forward Lines
Steven Stamkos — Ryan O’Reilly — Luke Evangelista
Filip Forsberg — Matthew Wood — Jonathan Marchessault
Erik Haula — Zachary L’Heureux — Tyson Jost
Reid Schaefer — Fedor Svechkov — Ozzy Wiesblatt
Defensive Pairings
Brady Skjei-Roman Josi
Nicolas Hague-Nick Perbix
Justin Barron-Ryan Ufko
Scratched
F — Joakim Kemell
Injured
G — Juuse Saros (upper body), D — Adam Wilsby (lower body)
Projected Goaltending Matchup
Spencer Knight (18-19-9, 2.63 GAA, .909 Sv%, 3 SO) vs. Justus Annunen (8-9-2, 2.89 GAA, .899 Sv%, 0 SO)
Knight is expected to make his 47th start of the season for the Blackhawks. The 24-year-old allowed one goal on 29 shots faced to record the win in his last start on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild. Knight is 3-1-0 with a 1.83 GAA and .923 Sv% in five career appearances against Nashville.
Annunen is expected to make his 19th start of the season for the Predators. The 26-year-old allowed one goal on 40 shots faced to earn the victory in his most recent start on Saturday against Vegas. Annunen is 4-0-0 with a 0.99 GAA, .961 Sv%, and two shutouts in four career games against Chicago. He’s given up just four goals in those four games.
2025-26 Results vs. Predators
The Blackhawks have earned at least one point in four of their last six games against Nashville (2-2-2). Ryan Greene is riding a three-game point streak against the Predators (2G, 1A). Connor Bedard has notched points in seven of his last eight games against Nashville (4G, 5A), including points (2G, 2A) in three of his last four games against them at United Center.
11/28/25 — 4-3 L, United Center
01/10/26 — 3-0 W, Bridgestone Arena
02/26/26 — 4-2 L, Bridgestone Arena
03/22/26 — United Center
2025-26 Team Stats & Leaders
Chicago Blackhawks:
Goals — Connor Bedard & Tyler Bertuzzi (28)
Assists — Connor Bedard (37)
Points — Connor Bedard (65)
GF/GP — 2.58 (30th)
GA/GP — 3.14 (22nd)
PP% — 18.6% (22nd)
PK% — 84.1% (2nd)
FOW% — 46.6% (31st)
Nashville Predators:
Goals — Steven Stamkos (33)
Assists — Ryan O’Reilly (40)
Points — Ryan O’Reilly (64)
GF/GP — 2.93 (19th)
GA/GP — 3.32 (27th)
PP% — 23.3% (9th)
PK% — 80.6% (12th)
FOW% — 50.9% (13th)
How To Watch, Listen, & Game Info
Nashville Predators (32-28-9, 73 points) @ Chicago Blackhawks (26-31-12, 64 points)
2:0 p.m. CT — United Center
Head Coaches: Andrew Brunette (NSH), Jeff Blashill (CHI)
TV/Stream: CHSN (Ball/Pang), FDSNSO
Radio: WGN 720 AM (Wiedeman/Konroyd)
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