After being tripped up in Vegas, Quenneville shakes up Blackhawks lines

Apparently, what happens in Vegas does stay in Vegas.

That's certainly the case when it comes to the Blackhawks forward lines, which were completely blown up at practice Thursday as coach Joel Quenneville searches for a way to spark a stagnant offense.

"We're just looking for change and a little bit more excitement," Quenneville said.

They certainly could use it, especially after a ho-hum performance against the Golden Knights on Tuesday and with pesky Nashville coming to town Friday. Here's what you can expect to see at the outset:

First line

Brandon Saad-Jonathan Toews-Alex DeBrincat

Yes, the 19-year-old DeBrincat gets the ultimate chance to show what he can do playing with AND against the best the NHL offers. DeBrincat, who piled up 167 goals in the OHL the past three seasons, has 1 goal, 3 assists and is averaging 1.4 shots on goal after 10 games with the Hawks.

"I still want to score and contribute every game," DeBrincat said. "It's not like juniors where you can take over a game and score a few each night. It is a little bit different, but I'm still adjusting."

Quenneville is hoping DeBrincat's play recognition, speed and shooting ability re-energizes Saad and Toews, who have 2 goals between them the past six games.

"He sees plays (and) has got a lot of confidence with the puck," Quenneville said.

This is a huge test for the 5-foot-7 DeBrincat, and it will be interesting to see how he handles going against an opponent's best defensemen.

Second line

Richard Panik-Nick Schmaltz-Patrick Kane

Panik slides down from the top line and replaces Ryan Hartman, who was moved to the fourth. Panik will give this line plenty of net-front presence, but don't discount his playmaking ability, which has certainly evolved the past couple of seasons.

"Pans has some nifty hands," Quenneville said.

Kane scored a late goal in the Hawks' 4-2 loss at Vegas while playing with Toews and Saad, but Quenneville doesn't want to start games with those three together.

"It's always an in-game thing you can do," he said. "We watched it a couple of shifts (against Vegas). The reason a lot of times we don't (do it) is we like a little bit more balance. It gives the other team more concerns of who they're going to keep an eye on.

"But definitely that's always an option."

Third line

Patrick Sharp-Artem Anisimov-John Hayden

Hayden moves up from the fourth line and replaces DeBrincat. No one has played harder or more consistent than the 6-foot-3, 223-pound Hayden. His forechecking should give this line plenty of offensive zone time and figures to set up Sharp with more high-danger chances.

Fourth line

Lance Bouma-Tommy Wingels-Ryan Hartman

Hartman's demotion might have something to do with the double minor he took in Vegas, but it probably has more to do with the Hawks scoring just 12 regulation goals in the past six games.

Somebody had to be moved down, and Hartman was the odd man out. He played plenty of bottom-six minutes last season - scoring 19 goals in the process - and could make this line more of a threat to score.

More changes:

The forward lines weren't the only changes at practice Thursday as Quenneville paired Jan Rutta with Duncan Keith. Brent Seabrook moved down to play with Gustav Forsling.

Quenneville said he did it to create more balance, but Seabrook has struggled of late and Rutta has stood out, so don't be surprised if these pairs stick for a while.

• Twitter: @johndietzdh

Scouting report

Blackhawks vs. Nashville Predators at United Center, 7:30 p.m. Friday

TV: NBCSCH

Radio: WGN 720-AM

The skinny: Despite being outplayed most of the game, the Hawks beat Nashville two weeks ago 2-1 with a late goal by Patrick Sharp and an overtime tally by Brandon Saad. The Predators have gone 2-1-1 since, losing their last game to Calgary 3-2 in a shootout. … Fillip Forsberg has scored in six of Nashville's nine games. He has 7 goals and 5 assists. Viktor Arvidsson and Scott Hartnell have 3 goals each. … Patrick Kane is riding a six-game points streak in which he has 3 goals and 3 assists. He leads the Hawks with 12 points. ... Brandon Saad has 6 goals but just 1 in the past six games. … Corey Crawford starts in net for the Hawks.

Next: Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center, 8 p.m. Saturday

- John Dietz