Chicago Blackhawks: Predators become a problem over the weekend
The Chicago Blackhawks went into the weekend on a roll. After dropping every game but one on their road trip, they came home and used home ice to their advantage. The Nashville Predators came to town to take on the Hawks and they were on a bit of a roll themselves. Well, the Predators certainly cooled the Hawks off and kept their hot streak going. Each game was within reach but the Hawks were never able to get it done.
All of the sudden, the Nashville Predators are a problem for the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Blackhawks weren’t really looking at the Nashville Predators as a threat to take their playoff spot away from them. The Columbus Blue Jackets and Dallas Stars seemed much more likely to be the team that did that but here we are. Nashville has passed the Hawks for that last playoff spot in the Central Division. The Predators have the tiebreaker as they both have 37 points but they are above the line. It was a tough weekend to collect 0 points.
The second game was a lot closer than the first even if it shouldn’t have been. Alex DeBrincat scored two quick goals in the third period to tie the game but Predators’ captain Roman Josi scored to put them ahead again not long after. Both Kevin Lankinen and Malcolm Subban each gave up 3 goals in their starts but neither should be blamed completely for the loss.
The Hawks are clearly not a team that is a lock to make the playoffs. They are right there in that bubble with the Predators, Stars, and Blue Jackets. The Red Wings are seemingly the only team with no chance to get back in it. Now that Nashville is playing well and back in it, each game is that much more important for the Chicago Blackhawks.
One positive in this game has already been mentioned. Alex DeBrincat is having himself an incredible season. He struggled to stay consistent (by his standards) in 2019-20 and he has bounced back nicely. He is currently a top-ten NHL goal scorer which is very nice.
Patrick Kane is awesome but it’s better for Chicago when more than one guy can carry the offense. DeBrincat is proving that he can be that guy again. The depth scoring looks even more fruitful when DeBrincat is contributing at a high level.
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Things don’t get any easier right away either. They are capping off their current homestand with two games against the Carolina Hurricanes. Carolina is one of the best teams in the league so the Hawks will need to come ready to play. They already took care of Florida last week so they have shown that they can skate with the big boys. This is going to be an incredibly important week for the team in red.