NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — Two Central Division teams looking to halt recent slides will meet when the Nashville Predators host the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night at Bridgestone Arena. The matchup features clubs at the bottom of the conference standings, with the Predators (26-31-0) seeking consistency and the Blackhawks (22-35-0) aiming to rediscover their offense after a shutout loss. Chicago arrives after a 4-0 road loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Feb. 4, a game in which rookies Landon Slaggert, Wyatt Kaiser and Oliver Moore were noted for their effort in a losing cause. The Blackhawks’ form has been uneven, with just three wins in their last 10 outings (3-6-1), though one of those victories was a decisive 3-0 win in Nashville on Jan. 10. Nashistanville is also looking to rebound from a loss, falling 4-2 to the Washington Capitals on Feb. 5. Michael McCarron and Jon Marchessault each scored a goal in that defeat, with defenseman Adam Wilsby adding two assists. The Predators have shown a high-scoring, volatile pattern, alternating wins and losses in their last six games while allowing five or more goals four times in that stretch. The season series is split 1-1. Following Chicago’s January shutout win in Music City, Nashville earned a 4-3 victory in Chicago on Nov. 28, 2025. For the Blackhawks, the game opens a three-game road trip against Central Division foes before returning home. The Predators are in the middle of a stretch playing eight of nine games on home ice, where they are 14-15-0 this season. Both teams have struggled to gain traction in the playoff race. The game represents a chance for one to build momentum before the schedule intensifies. Nashville will rely on its offensive leaders like Marchessault to penetrate a Chicago defense that has been porous, while the Blackhawks will need to generate more support for their young core after being blanked last time out. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST.