Recap: Blackhawks beat by Predators 4-3

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First period

There was a lot of back and forth in the first period, with both teams even in shots on goal, 10-11. The Blackhawks got a big opportunity late, though, and took advantage. Just after their power play expired, the Blackhawks caught Nashville in a change with Brady Skjei just getting back onto the ice. Ryan Donato, who drew the penalty, got the puck as he skated into the offensive zone. He wristed the puck past Juuse Saros, giving the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead with less than a minute to go in the period.

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Second period

The second period would not got as smoothly. Just under two minutes into the frame, Nicolas Hague put the puck up off the side boards. It found its way to Matthew Wood, who made no mistake in putting the puck over the glove of Soderblom, 1-1. Then, a couple of minutes later, Soderblom made a huge kick save to keep the puck out of the net.

Five and a half minutes later, the puck found Steven Stamkos in front of the net. He buried the backhander past Soderblom, making it 2-1 Predators. With less than four minutes to go, the Blackhawks would answer. On the power play, Oliver Moore found Ryan Greene in front, who put a snap shot past Saros, 2-2.

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With “tree chirty tree” left in the second, the Predators would strike back. With Stamkos and Ryan O’Reilly cycling in the corner, the puck found its way to Luke Evangelista. He wristed a puck past Soderblom, giving the Predators a 3-2 lead to end the second.

Third period

After getting out-shot in the second period, the Blackhawks had the advantage in the third. Just over seven minutes into the period, though, the Predators struck again. O’Reilly got the puck all alone in front of the net and put it past Soderblom, 4-2 Nashville. Then, just over three minutes after that, Saros misplayed the puck coming off the boards. It found Teuvo Teravainen in front, who put it home to get the Blackhawks back within one.

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That would be all that the Blackhawks could muster, however, and the Predators took this one 4-3.

Analysis

The Blackhawks really need to figure out the second period. After a well-played first, they fell apart in the second, against a team that really has not managed to get much right this season, just like last year. Giving up multiple power plays, not getting the puck deep to make a line change when everyone is exhausted and letting yourself get caught flat-footed are all good ways to let up goals. Soderblom was left out to dry in this one more often than not, and made some big saves when he could, but cannot be expected to stop them all. Something has to give here, whether it be switching up the lines or going back to 12 forwards or something for the time being to shake this team awake.

On the plus side, the Hawks looked amazing in their black alternate jerseys, being worn for the first time in over a decade.

The Blackhawks’ next game is on Sunday afternoon against the Anaheim Ducks. That game will be at 2:30 p.m. CST on CHSN.