5 Chicago Blackhawks Thoughts On 2-1 Loss To Nashville

For the second time the Chicago Blackhawks faced the Nashville Predators at the United Center in October, and for the second time the final score was 2-1. This time the Hawks lost, and here are my 5 Thoughts on the Hawks loss. 

5. New Lines worked for a only period.

The talk all week was how Joel Quenneville changed up the lines during practice, and tonight they were pretty effective in the first period with the Hawks scoring once and getting 20 shots on goal. The Hawks only got 23 more shots in the last two periods, so the Hawks new lines weren’t very good the last two periods.  In fact in the third period John Hayden was playing with Patrick Kane and Nick Schmaltz.

4. Pekka Rinne owns the Hawks

Pekka Rinne has only given up 7 goals on the last 175 shots the Hawks have thrown at him.  Rinne looked fantastic during the 4 game sweep last April, and he looked rock solid tonight giving up just a lone goal late in the first period.  A few years ago it looked like the Hawks had a recipe to defeat Rinne easily, but now the tables have been turned, and the Hawks need to figure out how to get pucks past Rinne once again.

3. The Powerplay Oh The Poweplay

The Powerplay was 0 for 6 Friday night, and at times it was hard to watch. Viktor Arvidsson had two chances including a clear breakaway while the Hawks had the man advantage.

The two biggest issues the Hawks have is keeping the puck in their own end, and getting anyone in front of the goalie.  Craig Smith was camped out in front of Corey Crawford all night long, but when the Hawks were shooting Rinne always had a clear line of sight.  With the Hawks offensive wizards they have 0 for 6 is unacceptable.

2. Duncan Keith Turnover Changed Momentum

Everyone this year is complaining about Brent Seabrook and sometimes rightfully so, but most times it’s just to have a whipping boy on the ice to complain about.  The tide turned in the game tonight because Duncan Keith decided to throw a puck into the middle of the ice to the waiting stick of a Preds player who buried the shot.  You can’t blame Crawford on that goal that’s for sure.  Keith is a two time Norris trophy winner, but that pass is never a good play.

1. Nick Schmaltz showed signs tonight.

Remember opening night when Nick Schmaltz was skating around everyone.  Well that guy was back tonight.  He set up John Hayden with a great chance late in the third period but was denied.  The Hawks may have lost the game, but seeing #8 skating around players with the puck on his stick has me excited about the next week of games including tomorrow night in Denver!

Next: Blackhawks Goalies In Trouble

The Hawks lose 2-1, what are your thoughts on tonight’s loss?