by Gatekeeper
The Blackhawks first period was one of the worst in recent memory. They weren't able to even get a shot on net in the first 6 or 7 minutes of the game. The Blackhawks had about as many shots on net and the Predators had goals, midway through the period. It took 2 fights, 3 goals against, and 18 opposing shots for the initial twenty minutes to mercifully come to an end. Not a second too soon, because the Hawks were getting laughed out of Smashville at that point.
The second period was much more tolerable than the first. Not that it could have possibly been any worse. The Blackhawks were able to stop the bleeding, but weren't able to initiate any offense of their own. Shots on net swung completely back in the Blackhawks favor, 13-8, but there were no goals scored in the sandwich stanza.
The Blackhawks looked like they were actually interesting in the third period, but the problem was that they had already dug themselves a 0-3 hole. They ended up getting outscored 2-1 in the third even though they out shot the Preds for a second period in a row 16-8. The Preds jumped on a bad turnover and then scored a 100 foot empty net shorthanded goal. It was just one of those nights. What are ya going to do?
- I really hate the obligatory staged fights, but if Andrew Shaw wants to punch Barret Jackman's face, I can get on board. All this after the Hawks opened the game like a steaming pile of donkey dung.
- With about five minutes left in the third period, the Blackhawks were the fortunate recipients of a soft Pekka Rinne cover of the puck. Marcus Kruger bolted to follow up a long point shot on net, and Rinne was very nonchalant covering it. It laid loose in the crease and Kane was able to jam it into the net, extending his point streak.
- When Andrew Shaw is your most consistent player, pack it up.
- With about 4 minutes left in the first period, Crag Smith and Viktor Arvidsson got in behind Trevor van Riemsdyk and Brent Seabrook. Darling made the initial save but the puck lay creeping towards the goal line and just squeaked over the line.
- While I didn't the the Shaw fight, Paul Gaustad trying to pick a fight at the end of the first period was stupid. Desjardins probably did a good thing taking Rozsival's place so they weren't short a defenseman to start the second, but what did this fight accomplish? Intermission momentum?
- Artemi Panarin left the game about midway through the second period. Luckily he was back for the third.
- Steve Konroyd went on about "If the Blackhawks could just tie this up", and that very second, Patrick Kane turned the puck over at the Hawks Blue line to noted embellisher James Neal. Neal led a 2-on-1 and took the shot himself, beating Darling.
- If it weren't for Anisimov getting his ass whipped at the dots, the rest of the Hawks centers were over 50%. Gaustad and Jarnkrok stick it up his ass, beating him 8 of 10.
- Patrick Kane played more than any Blackhawks player at 22:35. That should not happen, EVER.
- The Hawks couldn't possibly look any worse than they did in the first 6 minutes of the first period. They couldn't get the puck into the Preds one, much less get a shot off.
- After a stretch that bad, you'd be shocked if there was no goal given up right? Have no fear. James Neal Ended up 1-on-1 with Hjalmarsson, and was able to deke right through Hammer and get Darling moving left to right. Once Neal got Darling moving, the 5 hole was wide open for Neal to hit.
- Just 18 seconds after the Smith goal, Marcus Kruger took a defensive zone penalty. With one of their top killers in the box, the Blackhawks stood up for 19 whole seconds before Filip Forsberg gave the PERDS a 3-0 lead.
- Pekka Rinne is fucking terrible at playing the puck. His coach should be pleading with him to not play it.
- Surprise, Surprise. Barret Jackman had another "illegal check to the head" penalty. Guy is fucking garbage, and let me just mention how fucking hideously scary looking he is.
- James Neal with 2 goals. KILL ME
Teravainen - Toews - Hossa
Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Bickell - Rasmussen - Shaw
Desjardins - Kruger - Garbutt
Keith - Hjalmarsson
van Riemsdyk - Seabrook
Rundblad - Rozsival
