Predators Become Prey: Chicago Blackhawks Defeat The Nashville Predators 3-1!

Dec 17, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (2) and Blackhawks right wing Marian Hossa (81) celebrate a goal by Keith during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mike Strasinger-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Blackhawks made their second trip of the season to Nashville.  The Blackhawks are coming off a bounce back win against the Los Angeles Kings 3-1. The Blackhawks had suffered one of their worst losses of the season on Saturday night. The loss came at the hands of the Toronto Maple Leafs 7-3. The Blackhawks worst loss of the season came in their first meeting with Nashville Predators 7-2. On a positive note, the Blackhawks  welcomed back number 29, Bryan Bickell to the lineup. Bickell has been out for 14 games.

The Predators meanwhile are coming in on a three game winning streak.  The Blackhawks will be facing former Rockford Ice hogs goalie, Carter Hutton. Carter Hutton is 3-0 in his last three starts allowing only four goals. In Hutton’s last three starts, the Predators have averaged 3.5 goals a game. Hutton was also the NHL third star of the week last week.

Here is the period breakdown:

1^st Period: The scoring was started off early by the Blackhawks. Duncan Keith joined the play in the Nashville zone and blasted a shot past Carter Hutton. The Blackhawks lead 1-0. The lead did not last long. Marcus Kruger was called for a faceoff violation. He played the puck with his hand on the faceoff. The penalty kill woes continued as Shea Webber rocketed a shot past Antti Raanta. The Blackhawks might be abysmal on the penalty kill this season, but their power-play is a different story. In a role reversal from last season, the Blackhawks power-play has been RED hot as of late. Colin Wilson was whistled for a hold on Andrew Shaw at 15:36 gone by in the period. Patrick Kane beat Carter Hutton with a highlight reel top shelf goal. Despite the lead, the Blackhawks were outplayed by the Predators in the first period. The Predators outshot the Blackhawks 17-10. One of the main reasons for the Blackhawks leading this game was the play of Raanta. Raanta made 16 of 17 saves in the first period. The Blackhawks lead 2-1 after the first period.

2^nd Period: The Predators came out with high energy in the second period. However the shots were not there for the Predators. The Predators only put four shots on goal the entire second period. The Predators aided the Blackhawks by committing dumb penalties. Nashville Predators’ forward Victor Stalberg was called for tripping. The Stalberg penalty gave the Blackhawks its third power play of the game. Nick Leddy capitalized on the Stalberg penalty. He hammered a shot past Hutton. After some confusion by the rookie referee, Leddy’s shot was declared a good goal. The score was 3-1 in favor of the Blackhawks.

The Blackhawks went to the power play again after a “too many men on the ice penalty” against Stalberg.  The power play did not last long as Patrick Sharp was called for a double minor penalty. He drew blood on a high stick to Nick Spaling’s face.  The Predators had three minutes of a five on four power play. The Predators power play would be squashed by the Blackhawks penalty killers. They would only muster two shots on Raanta.  Marian Hossa, Marcus Kruger, and Brandon Saad stood out on the long penalty kill. With less than a minute to go in the period, Matt Hendricks committed the 5^th penalty of the game for Nashville. The Blackhawks would start the third period on the man advantage.  The Blackhawks lead 3-1 after two periods.

3^rd Period: The Blackhawks did not take advantage of the Hendricks penalty. The Blackhawks did button up their issues from the first period. The Blackhawks allowed seven shots in the third period, while only managing nine of their own. There was no scoring from either team in the period. The Blackhawks were charged with two penalties, one on Kris Versteeg for high sticking and one very late on Brent Seabrook. That made seven penalties for the Blackhawks. The Predators did the end the game on six on four chance but were unable to score.  Blackhawks win 3-1!

NEWS AND NOTES:

• Patrick Kane recorded another point, that is a point in 22 of his last 23 games
• Joel Quennville is now fourth all time with 685 regular season wins.
• Antti Raanta is 7-1-1 on the season.
• The Blackhawks lead the NHL with a 25-7-5 on the season, best in the NHL.
• The Blackhawks committed seven penalties in the game.

The Chicago Blackhawks take on the Vancouver Canucks Friday at the United Center. The game starts at 7pm.

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