The last time the Chicago Blackhawks met the Nashville Predators they entered the game with an eight-game losing streak and departed it with their ninth defeat in a row.
This time around, the Hawks were riding high with victories in five consecutive games when the teams took the ice at the United Center on Sunday night in a key Western Conference battle. Entering the game the Predators held a two-point advantage for fifth place in the West as the battle for postseason positioning continues.
Corey Crawford is in goal for the Hawks and has allowed a combined five goals in the Hawks' last five wins. Crawford is opposed by Pekka Rinne, who is looking to win on back-to-back nights after defeating the Jets 3-1 on Saturday night in Nashville. Rinne made 24 saves to run his record to 40-16-8 with a .922 save percentage.
The Hawks are without captain Jonathan Toews, who missed his 16th consecutive game with a concussion. Toews skated Sunday morning for his sixth consecutive day on the ice but has not yet been cleared for contact.
"He did good," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said of Toews. "He's progressed."
The Hawks are hopeful that Toews can return to action before the end of the regular season to get into gameshape for the postseason.
"We'd love to see that happen but we'll see," Quennville said. "Hopefully, it's soon."
ckuc@tribune.com
Twitter @ChrisKuc
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