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Struggling Blackhawks make a stop in Nashville

Nov 13, 2010 - 4:10 PM (Sports Network) - The Chicago Blackhawks will try for just their second win this month when they visit the Nashville Predators for tonight's Central Division battle at Bridgestone Arena.

The Blackhawks are just 1-4-0 in November and the defending Stanley Cup champions are coming off consecutive 2-1 losses. The most recent setback came Wednesday night against visiting Phoenix.

Jason LaBarbera stopped 35 shots to help the Coyotes take the 2-1 decision at the United Center. Bryan Bickell scored the lone goal for the Blackhawks, who suffered their fourth straight home loss. Marty Turco was tagged for both goals on 22 shots.

"It's not early in the season anymore," said Turco. "There's no excuse for saying it's early in the season or whatever. We need to play better and start getting some points."

The Blackhawks hope to get a boost from the return of centerman Dave Bolland tonight. Bolland has sat out the last six games with a rib injury, but is expected to be on the ice this evening for Chicago. He had one goal and two assists in 12 games before the injury.

Chicago will play seven of its next eight games on the road, although the Blackhawks will host the Anaheim Ducks tomorrow night. Joel Quenneville's club is 4-2-1 as the visiting team this season.

The Predators have struggled mightily over the last few weeks, but were able to end a five-game losing streak (0-5-0) with Thursday's close win in St. Louis. Marcel Goc scored the decisive goal in the fourth round of the shootout, lifting Nashville to the 3-2 win and handing the Blues their first home loss of the season.

After Patrik Berglund, the fourth shooter for the Blues, was turned away by Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne, Goc slid the puck inside the left post and past the outstretched pad of St. Louis' Jaroslav Halak.

J-P Dumont tied the game with 6:52 remaining in the third period for Nashville, while Rinne finished with 21 saves.

"When you're losing games you start second-guessing yourself," said Rinne. "You start thinking everything you do is wrong so it's huge for us to snap that streak."

The Preds will try to record consecutive victories tonight for the first time since beating Dallas and Tampa Bay on October 23 and 24, respectively.

Nashville is 2-1-3 as the host this year and the club will embark on a four- game road trip following tonight's contest.

The Predators recorded a 3-2 win in Chicago to kick off the season series back on Oct. 13. The Blackhawks still have six wins in the last nine meetings between the clubs and Chicago has taken three of the last four encounters in the Music City.