Predators' Fiala scratched in favor of Hartnell

The Nashville Predators are making a gutsy lineup decision ahead of Game 4.

Youngster Kevin Fiala was scratched in favor of grizzled veteran Scott Hartnell for Thursday's game against the Winnipeg Jets, according to Thomas Willis of the team's official website.

Fiala, 21, tallied 23 goals and 48 points during the regular season and has already scored three times in the playoffs, including an overtime winner in Game 2 against the Jets.

The 36-year-old Hartnell has only suited up for one playoff game this year, but has a wealth of postseason experience, and should add another dose of grit and nastiness to what's been a physical, in-your-face series thus far.

It's understandable that head coach Peter Laviolette might want Hartnell's experience in the lineup with Nashville trailing 2-1, but fourth-liner Miikka Salomaki would've been the more obvious candidate to come out, rather than a key offensive player in Fiala.

The Preds are also making a change on the back end, as Yannick Weber enters the fold in place of Alexei Emelin.