Blackhawks look for answers vs. the Senators on Saturday with new projected lines

Chicago enters Saturday's matinee as losers of four straight and sitting below the playoff line at 13-15-6, desperate for a spark under new or tweaked line combinations.

Spencer Knight is expected to get the start in goal, with backup Arvid Soderblom available if needed, as Chicago tries to slow Ottawa's attack.

Projected Blackhawks forward group has Tyler Bertuzzi leading the top unit alongside Frank Nazar and Andre Burakovsky, a trio designed to inject pace and finish into Chicago's attack, much different from their last lineups when facing the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.

Behind them, a second line built around Teuvo Teravainen and Jason Dickinson aims to create playmaking, while Ilya Mikheyev and Ryan Donato mix speed and net-front presence on the third wave.

Defense pairs could feature Alex Vlasic with Louis Crevier and Matt Grzelcyk with Artyom Levshunov, balancing shutdown work and transition play.

Ottawa counters with its own strong combinations, anchored by captain Brady Tkachuk and dynamic winger Tim Stutzle, often flanked by Jakob Zetterlund in the top six.

The Sens have been sharper lately at even strength, and Ottawa's depth scorers like Drake Batherson will be leaned on to exploit Chicago's defensive lapses.

Tkachuk's physicality and Stutzle's creativity are leading the charge and forcing opponents to defend layered pressure all over the ice.

Chicago's recent struggles were on full display in a 4-1 loss to the Canadiens on Thursday, although Frank Nazar did end a six-game point drought with Chicago's lone goal.

The Hawks will need their projected units to click early, especially on the power play, if they want to flip the script in this matinee.

If Chicago's new lines can generate early zone time and force Ottawa's D into turnovers, the Hawks can steal momentum before the second period. On the flip side, Ottawa's top forwards are poised to challenge Chicago's gaps with quick puck movement and aggressive forechecking.