Nashville Predators' Tyson Barrie to play in Game 5; Luke Schenn out with illness
VANCOUVER — The Nashville Predators are making one lineup change ahead of Tuesday's Game 5 against the Vancouver Canucks.
Defenseman Luke Schenn will not play in Game 5 due to an illness. In his place, Tyson Barrie will enter the lineup for Nashville for the first time since March 28.
At morning skate on Tuesday, the Predators showed no changes to their lineup, but Brunette mentioned afterward there was one change he was considering before game time. He did not indicate if it was injury or illness related at the time.
Slotting Barrie into the lineup allows the Predators more offensive skill. It also adds to the saga of Barrie and the Predators this season.
Barrie — who has played in 41 games this season, scoring one goal and 14 assists — requested a trade back in December, apparently upset about being a healthy scratch. General manager Barry Trotz said he "didn't like the way (Barrie) reacted to it" and worked on trying to move the defenseman.
But over time, the conflict slowly faded, with Barrie playing semi-regularly down the stretch. At the trade deadline, Trotz said he tried to find a destination for Barrie, but couldn't make anything work, so he kept him.
With the the Predators' power play struggling all series, Barrie could certainly help there, though his even strength numbers are suspect.
The Predators face elimination in Game 5 against the Canucks on Tuesday (9 p.m. CT, TBS).
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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Predators' Tyson Barrie to play in Game 5; Luke Schenn out
