by Patrick Stankus
Tweet to #Fatrick
The Blackhawks traveled back home late last night in order to complete their home and home series against the Nashville Predators. Gate was so kind to give me the keys to Puckin' Hostile for this series while he's off playing with lizards at some sort of expo that you should definitely go check out. Shameless plug, my apologies. With the majority of Chicago busy watching people play catch, smart money is on the Hawks breaking their slump with no one seeing it, aside from the hockey addicts.
When the puck dropped the Predators came out looking like a team that was ready to play. The Hawks however weathered the storm and the momentum turned in their favor. With Scott Darling playing out of his mind at the other end, the Hawks offense came to live. The Hawks tallied 3 goals in just under 4 minutes, to give them a 3-0 lead just 10 minutes into the game. As the period wound down, Jordin Tootoo took a bad penalty, and the momentum turned in favor of the Predators. With the period winding down, the Preds would get on the board, and trail the Hawks 3-1 after 20 minutes.
The second began with the same tone of the first period. The teams traded momentum runs that resembled that of a playoff game. Midway through the period, the Hawks had a couple of good looks, but couldn't increase their lead. Late in the period, Artem Anisimov took a hooking penalty and put the Hawks shorthanded. Much like Seabrooks power play goal in the first, the Predators wasted little time in making the Hawks pay for it, as they cut the lead to 3-2. As time wound down in the period, Darling made a couple of saves to keep the lead in favor of the Hawks after 40 minutes.
The final period was full of entertainment, much the first two periods. The Hawks had an early power play that they were able to take advantage of. It looked as if Marian Hossa had scored his 500th career goal, but instead it was #DickPanik who hammered home a loose puck in the crease to give the Hawks a two goal lead again. That lead was short lived, as the Predators capitalized on Brian Campbell doing everything but play defense, and cut the lead to one. As the game wound down, the Hawks held off the Preds, and #Dick Panik added an empty netter to complete the hat trick and give the Hawks a 5-3 win.
- I think we need to change the #DickPanik name to #DickFuckingPanik. What a game for #14. Panik netted his first career hat trick tonight, and his first goal of the night was a thing of beauty. Keep telling me he won't get 15-20 goals this years.
- Nick Schmaltz scored his first career goal tonight. Aside from that, he was kind of 'meh' the rest of the night, but he deserves the mention for his memorable night.
- The power play was 2 for 3 tonight. That's not something we're used to. I'll take that.
- While the initial start wasn't ideal, the Hawks woke up early enough before they dug themselves into a hole. They simply blew the doors off Nashville in the middle part of the 1st period.
- Its amazing what winning a draw can do for you. On Seabrook's goal, Toews won the draw, the Hawks cycled the puck back to the point and magically the puck ended up in the back of the net.
- Scott Darling had a solid night in net. He saved 33 of 36 shots en route to the win. And I'll answer your question, NO.
- I guess only taking two penalties is a positive, especially when your PK is struggling.
- Already there's people freaking out about Panarin's slow start. Relax people, its three games.
- Some have been impressed with Michal Kempny through three games, but I'm not one of them. I think he's been alright. He made an ill advised decision to go for a hit when he had no support and it led to a Predators goal. Its a work in process I guess.
- I'm still trying to figure out what the hell Brian Campbell was doing on Arvidsson's goal.
- Speaking of Campbell, he and Forsling certainly weren't the best duo on the ice tonight.
- Yielding 36 shots and getting a win is playing with fire. You'd like to see the defense clamp down a little more.
- With how bad the first two games were, let leave it with nothing in the ugly category. Lets be positive tonight.