The defending Stanley Cup Champion Blackhawks have a new look as expected,and they are still adjusting to the losses of 8 mainstays from last season. A late goal by Nashville’s Joel Ward(with :27 seconds left gave the Predators a come from behind 3-2 win,dropping the Hawks to 1-2 with an over time defeat.Ward’s game winner occurred while Boyton was serving a delay of game penalty he earned by accidentally hitting the puck directly into the stands at 17:47. The Blackhawks struck quickly when Patrick Sharp gained the Nashville attack zone,fed Jonathan Toews who cross rinked it to Patrick Kane who sent a lazar beam from a touch angle past Anders Lindback at 4:48. But former Blackhawk Steve Sullivan tied it on a rebound past a sprawled Corey Crawford at 6:37. The Hawks regained the lead on a spectacular play that led to Toews first goal of the young season at 16:58. Marian Hossa skated around in the Preds zone from point to point and fed Tomas Kopecky. He then backhanded a tough pass to Toews who’s shot appeared to be stopped by Lind back,but the puck leaked through his pads into the net. The Hawks and Predators each had ten shots on goal in the first period,and the Blackhawks out shot the visitors 11-7 in the scoreless second stanza. Nashville tied it up at 4:44 of the third when Colin Wilson put a rebound over Crawford’s shoulder. The Hawks almost killed Boynton’s penalty,but another ex Blackhawks,J.P.Dumont was able to work for a shot which Crawford turned aside,but the rebound went right to Ward with nobody near him and a wide open net. After that goal-which gave Nashville the lead for the only time all night, The Hawks quickly pulled Crawford,but could never control the puck across the red line.
NOTES—This was the first of defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson’s two game suspension…..The sellout crowd was 20,680….The Predators were 1-3 on the power play while the Hawks converted on their only man advantage try of the evening….Nashville out shot the Hawks 10-4 in the third period and in the game 27-25…..The Hawks play the Blue Jackets in Columbus Friday night,then re-match Buffalo in what could be a chippy game here in the United Center Saturday evening.
LES