Preds vs. Hawks Game 4 Projected Lineups

Obviously a lot of this is guesswork, as both teams held optional skates today. I would imagine you won’t see too many changes to the forward lines for the Preds, save for Craig Smith sitting out due to injury. In that case, I see Parenteau stepping in that 4th line winger role.

Forwards

Viktor Arvidsson — Ryan Johansen — Filip Forsberg

Harry Zolnierczyk — Mike Fisher — Austin Watson

Kevin Fiala — Calle Jarnkrok — James Neal

Pontus Aberg — Colton Sissons — Craig Smith/P.A. Parenteau

Defense

Roman Josi — Ryan Ellis

Mattias Ekholm — P.K. Subban

Matt Irwin — Yannick Weber

Goalie

Pekka Rinne

As for the Blackhawks, Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times seems to think it’s possible that the Hawks go with seven defensemen, which should give Michael Kempny his first action of the series. This would likely bump either Jordin Tootoo or Ryan Hartman from the lineup (probably Tootoo) and mean the Hawks would pretty much roll three forward lines all night. I doubt that happens, but we will see.

Also, on Tuesday the Hawks put Hossa on the top line with Toews, moving Panik down to the 3rd line. That could be an adjustment as Toews has had no help at all. Hossa should give him that.

So assuming they don’t go seven defensemen, here’s what we should see:

Forwards

Nick Schmaltz — Jonathan Toews — Marian Hossa

Artemi Panarin — Artem Anisimov — Patrick Kane

Dennis Rasmussen — Marcus Kruger — Richard Panik

Ryan Hartman — Tanner Kero — Jordin Tootoo

Defense

Niklas Hjalmarsson -- Duncan Keith

Michael Kempny/Johnny Oduya — Brent Seabrook

Brian Campbell — Trevor Van Riemsdyk

Goalie

Corey Crawford