The Chicago Blackhawks continue to blow leads in losing fourth straight game

The Chicago Blackhawks dropped their fourth straight game, blowing a two-goal lead to the Nashville Predators and losing 3-2 in the shootout. With the loss, the Blackhawks fall to 14-28-3 of the season. 

Hey, at least they picked up a point in the standings by forcing overtime and a shootout.

This was the Blackhawks’ first game past regulation since Nov. 23, 2024 when they lost 3-2 in overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. Matvei Michkov scored the overtime game-winner for the Flyers.

Despite the shootout loss, Blackhawks goaltender Arvid Soderblom made a career-high 39 saves.

The Predators struck first.

At 7:55 of the first period, the Blackhawks were shorthanded, and Steven Stamkos scored a power play goal right from his office with a one-timer from the left circle to make it 1-0 Nashville.

Tensions would rise soon after, as Patrick Maroon of the Blackhawks and Michael McCarron of the Predators dropped the gloves. Both players received five-minute fighting majors.

The Blackhawks penalty woes continued as they would take their second penalty of the game with Seth Jones taking a high-sticking 10:54 in, which gave Nashville its second powerplay. Chicago successfully killed it off.

With 5:09 left in the first period, the Blackhawk thought they scored a goal from Nick Foligno but was waved off due to goaltender interference. The Blackhawks challenged the call back but it was upheld, resulting in a delay of game penalty. The Predators would go on their third power play of the game in just the first period but the Blackhawks killed it off.

The Predators carried a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

The Blackhawks came through in second period.

Early in the second period, Connor Bedard tied the game up at one with his 13th goal of the season with a wrist shot from the slot off the pass from Tyler Bertuzzi.

1:27 later, Alec Martinez gave Chicago the lead on a tricky goal. The puck bounced off the end boards, off the back of Predators goalie Juuse Saros, and into the net.

The Blackhawks took a 2-1 lead after forty minutes of play.

Filip Forsberg tied the game up in the third period with his 300th career goal.

After a scoreless 16:57 of the third period, the Predators finally came through as Forsberg took a bank pass from Nashville defensemen Nick Blankenburg and fired a slapshot from the right circle past Soderblom to tie the game up at two.

The goal was Forbserg’s 300th in his career, placing him first place on the Predators’ all-time goals list. Once again, the Hawks did what they do best this season, and that is blowing leads.

After 60 minutes of hockey, the game would go into overtime.

Soderblom stood tall.

The Predators outshot the Blackhawks 6-3 but Arvid Soderblom continued his stellar performance and made several clutch saves to force a shootout.

Predators seal the Comeback.

The Predators would go three-for-three in the shootout with Steven Stamkos scoring the decisive goal, securing the 3-2 shootout win.

The one area that Soderblom has really struggled at is in shootouts. He has yet to record a save.

3 takeaways from the game...

1. Soderblom Shines: Despite the loss, Arvid Soderblom delivered a standout performance, stopping 39 of 41 shots faced and keeping Chicago in the game through overtime.

2. We Finally have a Top First Line: It was no doubter that when head coach Anders Sorensen put Tyler Bertuzzi, Connor Bedard, and Frank Nazar on the first line together that it was going to produce. They combined for 14 shots on goal and six hits, showcasing chemistry and potential spark for the future.

3. The Blackhawks Performance: Although a loss, this was one of the Blackhawks' fewer stronger performances this season.

What's Next: The Blackhawks have a tough schedule ahead as they return home from their Dad's trip to start a four-game homestand against the Vegas Golden Knights Saturday at 7 p.m. CST on CHSN.