Despite Alex DeBrincat scoring a pair in the 3rd to help the team claw back to knot up the game at 2-2, Roman Josi put the Predators ahead for the win and clinch of the weekend sweep of the Blackhawks.
With the loss, the Hawks are now tied with the Preds in standing points with 37 apiece but Nashville has the advantage to claim 4th place by having 2 additional regulation victories.
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Starting Lineup
The starting lineup was the same up front and in the back but had Malcolm Subban taking the reins between the pipes:
#Blackhawks in warmups tonight:
— Carter Baum (@CarterBaum) March 28, 2021
Janmark - Dach - Kane
Kubalik - Kampf - Hagel
DeBrincat - Suter - Kurashev
Highmore - Soderberg - Carpenter
Zadorov - Murphy
Keith - Boqvist
de Haan - Beaudin
Subban
Start it up!@budlight | #CHIvsNSH pic.twitter.com/H4KCMFkcGw
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 29, 2021
Scoring Recap
1st Goal: Arvidsson (0-1)
We'll take it! @gohermitage | #NSHvsCHI pic.twitter.com/brBh4LYn4D
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 29, 2021
2nd Goal: Jarnkrok (0-2)
ð™„ð™”ð™†ð™”ð™†: ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾@NissanUSA | #NSHvsCHI pic.twitter.com/kwJVNYREy7
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 29, 2021
3rd Goal: DeBrincat (1-2)
Like a cat with a ball of yarn we are All! Tied! Up!@Brinksy97 | #CHIvsNSH pic.twitter.com/QKcgJjmfCw
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 29, 2021
4th Goal: DeBrincat (2-2)
DeBrincat! Again!
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 29, 2021
The Cat drives and pounces and scores and purrs and we're all tied up in Chicago! #CHIvsNSH pic.twitter.com/KdLJXQBbQM
5th Goal: Josi (2-3)
THAT'S IT, FOLKS! pic.twitter.com/e3Bpme35Dj
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 29, 2021
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Game Notes
FINAL: Predators 3, #Blackhawks 2
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) March 29, 2021
Shot attempts: 53-51 NSH
Shots on goal: 31-29 NSH
5-on-5 scoring chances: 22-10 NSH
5-on-5 high danger chances: 6-4 NSH pic.twitter.com/KMmlIXs2up
The first goal given up was a prime example of the Hawks -- including the goalies -- getting pressured and passing into said pressure instead of reversing it to a safer outlet.
Not Ready Yet
Another bad habit is passing to a teammate who isn't ready to receive the puck because their back is turned, they're covered, or they're soon to be under pressure once the puck is by them.
Last One Back
Something else that needs worked out is when the puck carrier is the last one back as his partner zips ahead to join the rush. The team is in trouble if the opposition forces play the other way.
Get in Their Heads
In the 2nd period after Nikita Zadorov spun Pekka Rinne around behind the net, the Predators went after him a few times including Ryan Johansen who took an undisciplined penalty.
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Player Notes
Malcolm Subban
Overall, Subban had a solid game making 28 saves with the first 2 goals against being the result of deflected pucks off of skates. He still needs to cut down on rebounds some of which drop down beside him.
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Rockford Updates
Just like the Blackhawks, the IceHogs also got swept this weekend after a 5-4 loss to the Wolves despite notching 3 PP goals. Josiah Slavin made his pro debut on the top line and scored his first career goal.
Starting Lineup
Projected Lines: #SundayFunday at the BMO vs. CHI. Puck drops in 25 min!
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) March 28, 2021
📺: #AHLTV & @23WIFR
📻: @Sportsfan1330
📱: https://t.co/opQNnTZqMv & https://t.co/YrNnGd1cEj pic.twitter.com/7CMmQjZEY2
Highlights: Hogs power play goes 3-for-5 and Franson/Kalynuk/Barratt nab multi-point games in 5-4 loss to Chicagohttps://t.co/ZylnCW6qFk
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) March 29, 2021
Wyatt Kalynuk's pass intended for Dylan McLaughlin was caught by Evan Barratt who passed it to McLaughlin starting a scramble in the crease. McLaughlin tucked it home to open the scoring.
2nd Goal: Jeannot (1-1)
Anton Lindholm whiffed on a shot above the left circle then Tanner Jeannot pounced on the loose puck to head up ice on a 2-on-1 but took the shot himself and scored to knot it up.
3rd Goal: Malone (1-2)
A failure to clear the zone twice led to the puck getting to Matt Murphy at the point who sent a shot that changed directions as Sean Malone tipped it deceiving Matt Tomkins.
4th Goal: Barratt (2-2)
After a faceoff win, the puck got moved to Cody Franson at the point who sent a floater toward the net that Barratt redirected past Wolves goalie Devin Cooley.
5th Goal: Kalynuk (3-2) PP
MacKenzie Entwistle won a board battle in the left corner then got the puck low to high up to Franson at the point who then fed Kalynuk for a one timer from the right circle.
6th Goal: Suzuki (3-3)
Lucas Carlsson couldn't corral the puck in the neutral zone which sent two former NHL 1st rounders Ryan Suzuki and Philip Tomasino in on a 2-on-1 as they performed a give-and-go.
7th Goal: Rees (3-4)
The Wolves cycled the puck strongly in the right corner before Jamieson Rees took control and danced around the right circle before sending a laser high above Tomkins' shoulder.
8th Goal: Slavin (4-4) PP
After dishing the puck over to Carlsson, Slavin charged into the zone straight to the net. Carlsson backhanded the puck on net and Slavin was able to cash in on the rebound.
9th Goal: Rees (4-5)
Sheldon Rempal dumped the puck from the far blueline that Tomkins played behind the net but Rees retrieved it and wrapped it around the other side before Tomkins could get back in time.
Player Notes
Congrats on your first pro goal in your pro debut, Josiah Slavin! pic.twitter.com/Hlw13IasYz
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) March 29, 2021
Barratt has 5 points in the last 3 games including a goal and assist in the last 2 contests.
While strong on defense, Ian Mitchell's passing still needs work as he's over relying on stretch passes that rarely connect.
Lindholm had an impressive season debut but has been struggling ever since getting outworked on defense.
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See you on the boards!