2 weeks Ago By Brooke LoFurno, Chicago Hockey Now
The Chicago Blackhawks came into their game against the Nashville Predators on Oct. 24, desperate to snap their two-game losing streak. They lost in a fashion they wanted to get away from with slow starts and an unfavorable outcome.
Meanwhile, the Predators were desperate in their own way to get back on track after starting the season 1-5. Here are four thoughts from Blackhawks’ 3-2 loss to the Predators. 1.
Lukas Reichel and Craig Smith Fuel Blackhawks I did not have my Blackhawks 2024-25 Blackhawks bingo card that Craig Smith and Lukas Reichel would end up being one of the best duos for offense on the team early on, but here we are. The duo paired up for two goals against the Buffalo Sabres on Oct. 19, showing early promise and chemistry for that fourth line, including Pat Maroon.
Sure enough, Craig Smith gave the team a 1-0 lead early off a great play from Reichel, and defenseman Nolan Allan also got his first NHL point on the goal, so it was a beautiful sequence. Reichel continues his strong play, including earning a promotion to the second line against the Vancouver Canucks, and got another promotion during the game, playing with Teuvo Teravainen and Connor Bedard. 2.
Blackhawks’ Bad Starts Become A Memory, For Now The Blackhawks needed a good start after dealing with back-to-back slow starts against Buffalo and Vancouver. It did look like Nashville’s fourth line had some early looks, but the Blackhawks quickly gained form, with a takeaway for Jason Dickinson, some hits by Wyatt Kaiser and Ryan Donato, the opening goal from Smith, and outshooting Nashville 10-6. If the Blackhawks had come out with another slow start, this takeaways piece would probably look a lot different, but it was a nice response, especially against such a big division rival.
It would have been made better with a win, but the hope is that better starts continue. 3. Connor Bedard Finally Broke Through It kept getting repeated how Connor Bedard only had one goal in his last seven games , but he came out flying, and he finally got the Blackhawks up 2-0 with some help from Alex Vlasic and Connor Murphy.
Bedard is a goal-scorer, and you can see how frustrated he wasn’t getting the puck luck, but it worked out tonight. He also tied with Ilya Mikheyev for the team-lead in shots (4). 4.
Blackhawks Joy Was Short-Lived Even though there was a lot to like about that game, the old Blackhawks ultimately appeared. They played some of their best hockey in the first period and then gave up two goals in the second period for Nashville to tie the game 2-2, including a short-handed goal from Gustav Nyquist. The Predators spent a good portion of the game in the penalty box throughout the game (so did the Blackhawks with five penalties), but the Blackhawks went 0-for-5 on the power play.
Unfortunately, Teuvo Teravainen had a power play goal that put Chicago up 3-0 before being waived off for offsides. Then, in a flash, it was 3-2, Predators. Maybe if Teravainen’s goal were onside, the outcome would be different.
But such is life for the Blackhawks; when things spiral, they spiral. Considering their exciting start to the game, it was a tough loss for Chicago. They seemed like they turned a corner in the first period but then turned into the team from before- one that struggles to close out games.
It also doesn’t help that Nashville has their number, in general. They’ll look to snap this three-game losing streak tomorrow against the Dallas Stars (Oct. 26).
This article first appeared on Chicago Hockey Now and was syndicated with permission..
