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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
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