Chicago (22-9-7) at Nashville (18-19-3), 8:30 p.m. EST
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- The Nashville Predators could
receive a surprising boost while trying to build off a victory.
Right wing Steve Sullivan, who has not played since February 22,
2007, may return from injury and skate for the Predators on
Saturday when they take on the Chicago Blackhawks in the opener
of a home-and-home series.
The Predators, who will try to notch their first winning streak
in over a month, hope Sullivan - a two-time 30-goal scorer - can
serve as a much-needed reinforcement for their struggling
offense.
Prior to its 5-3 triumph over the Pittsburgh Penguins on
Thursday, Nashville had scored seven total goals during a
five-game slide.
Sullivan, a former Blackhawk, has 228 goals and 577 points in
723 career games, but has been sidelined for the Predators' last
153 contests due to a troublesome back, which required two disc
operations.
Martin Erat, who has 95 career tallies, needs one more to tie
Scott Walker for the franchise record for career goals with the
Predators.
Chicago had its two-game winning streak end with Thursday's 2-1
loss to the Colorado Avalanche. The Blackhawks have already
lost more games in January (2-2-0) than in all of December
(10-1-1).
Against Colorado, All-Star Patrick Kane returned after missing
two games with a right ankle sprain and recorded an assist. The
20-year-old sophomore sensation has five goals and 15 points in
his last 15 contests.