The Chicago Blackhawks faced off with Central Division opponent Nashville on Monday night at United Center. The game got off to a scary start as Corey Crawford misplayed a puck behind his net that went right to a Nashville player in the corner, was centered off the post, and banged home by Patric Hornqvist at 00:26 for a 1-0 Predators lead. Three minutes in the Hawks went on a two man advantage power play but failed to light the lamp despite multiple chances. Chicago failed to score on another power play when Francis Boullion was sent off for shooting the puck into the crowd at 9:38. Boullion was stopped on a clean breakaway out of the penalty box but was denied by Crawford who kept it a 1-0 game. The strong play of the Hawks penalty killing unit continued as the Hawks were able to kill off a Dave Bolland boarding penalty late in the period. The Hawks got on the board late in the first period when Patrick Kane took a feed from Patrick Sharp in the slot and ripped a wrister by Pekka Rinne at 19:11. Marian Hossa added an assist on the play to even the score at 1-1. Nashville outshot the Hawks 9-8 in the first period of play. Chicago was 0-3 on the power play for the period as their power play woes continued.
Craig Smith gave Nashville a 2-1 lead early in the second when he fired a wrist shot by Crawford off a Martin Erat pass that froze 3 Hawks defenders at 6:00. Chicago fought back as Nick Leddy let a slap shot fly and beat Rinne for his second goal of the year half way through the second for a 2-2 game with assists from Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa. With under two minutes to play, the Predators took a 3-2 lead with a goal from Patric Hornqvist on a two man advantage with Patrick Sharp and Dave Bolland in the sin bin. The Predators outshout the Hawks 11-6 in the second period of play. The Hawks power play was 0-1 in the period.
The Hawks took it to Nashville in the third period outshooting the Predators 18-8. Patrick Kane tied the game 3-3 for his 2nd goal of the night when he beat Rinne off a cross ice pass from Marian Hossa. The Hawks failed to score on another two man advantage a short time later. At 13:08 Bryan Bickell scored his 3rd goal of the year to give the Hawks their first lead of the night 4-3. The lead was short lived as David Legwand tied the game 4-4 less than two minutes later and yet another United Center game was headed to overtime.
In the extra session it was Viktor Stalberg scoring and winning the game for the Hawks and catapulting Chicago into a tie atop the Western Conference standings. Jonathan Toews and Brent Seabrook added assists on the game winner. It was the first of four overtime games for the Hawks this season to end in overtime and not head to the shootout.
The Hawks (7-2-2) improved their home record to 5-0-2 and remain undefeated in regulation on home ice. The Hawks now lead Nashville (5-4-2) by 4 points in the Central Division standings and have moved into a tie for first place in the Western Conference with 16 points. The power play was 0-7 on the night and now is just 4 for 45 on the season. The Hawks failed to score on two separate two man advantages. Despite not getting on the scoreboard, the power play unit showed signs of life and had multiple scoring opportunities. The stingy Hawks penalty kill finally allowed a goal and went 2 for 3 on the evening killing penalties. It was just the 3rd power play goal the Hawks have allowed this season in 36 chances against. The Hawks next game against the Predators will be January 21st in Nashville.
The Hawks will head to Miami to begin a two game Florida trip against the Florida Panthers on Thursday night. Florida comes in with a 6-4-1 record and are 2-1-1 on home ice. The Hawks split a pair of games with the Panthers last season winning 4-0 on United Center ice and falling 3-2 in Miami.
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