Game 46: Hawks 2, Preds 5 (predators)

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Game 46: Hawks 2, Preds 5

By Theo Fox

Apr 20, 2021 • 4:00 pm

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If there's an instance of a game where a team deserved to lose, last night's 5-2 defeat at the hands of the rival Predators was a shining example as the Blackhawks lacked execution, played sloppy, and lost battles all game.

While there's still the opportunity to take the next pair of games at home and actually pull ahead of Nashville in the standings, the poor effort in the first game of the 3-game series wasn't a good omen for things to come.

The game was a loss in itself, of course, but the Hawks also lost one of its most promising players in blueliner Wyatt Kalynuk who departed the game early due to sustaining a hip injury after taking a hit along the boards.

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Starting Lineup

The starting lineup saw Calvin de Haan's return plus Adam Gaudette's debut in a Blackhawks sweater as Brandon Hagel was a last-minute scratch due to COVID precautions:

Scoring Recap

1st Goal: Duchene (0-1)

2nd Goal: DeBrincat (1-1) PP

3rd Goal: Jarnkrok (1-2)

4th Goal: Ekholm (1-3)

5th Goal: Kampf (2-3)

6th Goal: Jeannot (2-4)

7th Goal: Kunin (2-5)

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Game Notes

Poor Defensive Basics

From the opening shift when Colton Sissons was wide open in the slot, the Hawks showed poor defensive basics all game by not managing gaps, not protecting the net, and not gaining inside positioning.

Unforced Errors & Lost Battles

Sloppy play from start to finish resulted in unforced errors in all zones. Even when the Hawks weren't sloppy, they constantly lost battles for the puck and for positioning up and down the ice.

Goalie Switch

For the first time this season head coach Jeremy Colliton performed a goalie switch as Malcolm Subban subbed in for a struggling Kevin Lankinen. Subban made 8 saves and allowed none in relief.

Special Teams

While DeBrincat was the only one to capitalize on 1-of-5 power plays, the penalty kill was a perfect 5-for-5. The game could have amassed more penalties as things got rather chippy towards the end.

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Player Notes

Duncan Keith

In one of his worst games of the season, Keith lost battles all night in his end especially against Kunin as they frequently sparred.

Adam Gaudette

Overall in his team debut Gaudette played fairly conservatively and could flex his muscles more to exert the heavy style he is known for.

Dylan Strome

Barely noticeable, Dylan Strome made zero impact at any point during the game. His TOI was 10:40 (Gaudette was lowest at 7:39).

Kirby Dach

Still finding his groove, one area that Kirby Dach needs to improve upon is using his size to win the physical wars all over the ice.

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Roster Updates

Brandon Hagel

Wyatt Kalynuk

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See you on the boards!

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