from John Glennon of The Tennessean,

Here are five key questions facing the Predators as they prepare for Game 5:

1. Can they slow down the Toews line?

Chicago's line of Marian Hossa, Jonathan Toews and Brandon Saad has been dominant in the series, accounting for 12 points (four goals, eight assists) — one third of the team's points total.

Hossa has been the ringleader, seemingly all over the ice while posting five assists, including four primary assists. The absence of Mike Fisher, the Predators' best two-way center, and Shea Weber, one of the league's top defensemen, has really hurt Nashville in trying to match up with the talented trio.

"The challenge is they're a good hockey line," Laviolette said. "They present a lot of challenges with regard to talent and speed of the attack they bring to the game. I thought (Tuesday) for at least the first three periods we did a pretty good job, keeping them in check and not giving them too many quality chances."

2. Can the veterans bounce back?

When it comes to the very important center position, the Predators are an old team. First-line center Mike Ribeiro is 35, current second-line center Matt Cullen is 38 and fourth-line center Paul Gaustad is 33.

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