CHICAGO – The Chicago Blackhawks came into Friday night’s game trying to even out their four-game home stand.
It did not go their way as they were defeated by the Nashville Predators at United Center 3-2. The issue for Chicago in this game was that they led 2-0 at the halfway mark.
They appeared to go up 3-0 thanks to a beautiful play by Teuvo Teravainen. He made a nifty move to beat Juuse Saros after Connor Bedard did his thing to send him in all alone.
The goal was called off-side after a coach’s challenge by Nashville. Bedard carried the puck over the blue line after Teravainen entered the zone.
In a strange turn of events, the Predators took all of the momentum after this goal was waved off. Filip Forsberg scored a beautiful goal to get Nashville on the board and Gustav Nyquist scored a short-handed marker to get it all tied up.
It seemed like the game was destined for overtime until Brady Skjei broke the tie with a power play goal at 13:07 of the third period. Despite a late power play opportunity of their own, the Hawks were unable to get it tied but not for a lack of chances.
After being up 2-0, this loss is going to sting for Chicago. There were some positives to take from it though.
For one, Lukas Reichel appears to be getting better as he moves along. He made a beautiful pass to set up Chicago’s first of the night, a tap-in for Craig Smith. On the goal, Nolan Allan earned his first career NHL point.
Connor Bedard also scored for Chicago in this one. After a slow start in the goal-scoring category, the Hawks are hoping that this is the floodgates opening for Bedard. His playmaking has been incredible but they like to see him scoring too.
After four straight games at United Center, the Hawks will hit the road. The second half of this back-to-back will take place on Saturday night against the Dallas Stars.
The Stars are one of the best teams in the league and one of Chicago’s greatest challenges in the coming weeks. Blowing the multi-goal lead the night before that kind of matchup is not ideal.
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