Hawks @ Penguins Pre-Game Buzz: Nick Johnson drawing high praise from Bylsma

Time: 7:00 p.m. | Where: Consol Energy Center

TV: Root Sports

Kennedy - Staal - Johnson

Tangradi - Letestu - McDonald

Cooke - Sill - Adams

MacIntyre - Lerg - Veilleux

Strait - Engelland

Picard - Michalek

Harrington - Lovejoy

Goaltenders: Brent Johnson to start and play 1st two periods; Scott Munroe to play the third

Tonight's game figures to be a physical and chippy game. Penguin toughguys Steve MacIntyre and Deryk Engelland will be in the lineup and Chicago will have the likes of Daniel Carcillo dressing.

Dan Bylsma Pre-Game Audio

"They seem to have brought a more physical and gritty lineup to the game tonight, " head coach Dan Bylsma said on Chicago's lineup.

Bubble players like Eric Tangradi, Nick Johnson and Alexandre Picard will all be in the lineup and given opportunities for big minutes in key situations but this won't be a great game for the Penguins staff to evaluate those type of players. The Blackhawks are fielding a non-skilled, physical AHL type of lineup.

Alexandre Picard: The 26 year old defenseman has been among the more intriguing players heading into camp. Picard has the ability to push Matt Niskanen for a roster spot and he will have to make his mark on the power play and emerge as the clear better option in that area. He will be given that opportunity tonight, working the right point on the top play unit. Picard scored 6 power play goals in 2008-2009 for the Ottawa Senators.

Left winger Eric Tangradi has had a subpar camp up until this point.