The Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators faced off for the first time this season, and both entered the match with some effort.
Although the Predators won their last game against the Detroit Red Wings on November 26, they entered the Chicago game with three wins in the November 11 games and are in last place in the NHL. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks were on a four-game losing streak, their longest of the season.
Both teams were eager for two points and the Predators came away with a 4-3 win in Chicago.
Summary of the game
In the first period, the Blackhawks were the stronger team as they outscored the Predators 6-1 to start, and things got tougher for Nashville when Nick Perbix was assessed a tripping penalty. The Predators put an end to it, but not long after that penalty, Brady Skjei was awarded a four-minute high-stick penalty against Ryan Donato. Essentially, the Blackhawks got back-to-back power plays that went unanswered in the final seven minutes. However, after the four-minute penalty expired, Ryan Donato scored to give the Blackhawks a 1–0 lead with 50 seconds left in the period. Shots were 11-10, Chicago.
Nashville’s Matthew Wood tied the game at 1-1 about two minutes into the second period. Then Steven Stamkos made it 2-1. Ozzy Wiesblatt kneed Blackhawks’ Oliver Moore, causing a scrum, and Chicago got a power play from the kneel. Ryan Greene tied the game 2-2 on the power play. Luke Evangelista gave the Preds a 3-2 lead over a minute later.
The Predators thoroughly outplayed the Blackhawks in the second period, but the Blackhawks did get some looks. Goalkeeper Juuse Saros made some big stops on Connor Bedard and Andre Burakovsky. Shots were 11-6, Nashville.
There was some life for the Blackhawks to start the third period, but Ryan O’Reilly gave the Predators a two-goal lead, 4-2. Teuvo Teravainen scored 4-3 as Saros left the net, and the puck bounced amusingly to Teravainen. Chicago dominated most of the third period after O’Reilly’s goal.
But defenseman Sam Rinzel was assessed an interference penalty with three minutes left, giving Nashville a power play. While the Predators didn’t convert, taking all that time off proved crucial for them. The Blackhawks had an empty net for less than a minute, but it wasn’t enough to score the equalizer.
Nashville won 4-3. Overall shots were 29-27, Nashville.
What’s next?
The Blackhawks will look to break their five-game losing streak when they play the Anaheim Ducks at home on November 30. Meanwhile, the Predators will return to Nashville and take on the Winnipeg Jets as their second game of a back-to-back on November 29. They hope to extend their winning streak to three.
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