Music City Nightmare — Listless Blackhawks Drop 4-1 Game to Predators
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010 | Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, NHL, Sports
Ouch – this is not how Coach Joel Qunneville drew it up – a 4-1 listless loss to the Predators in Nashville. The Hawks now trail the Predators 2 games to 1 in the best of 7 series, and the team has their backs up against the wall, needing to win 3 of the next 4 games in order to advance to the Conference Semi-Finals. Not an easy task, especially against a team that packs the defense in their own zone and limits scoring chances on a consistent basis. The Blackhawks are used to outscoring their opponents in just about every game. But last night, the Predators actually out-shot the Hawks 35-27. The Hawks did not get more than 10 shots on goal in any period. Can you believe that?
Tomas Kopecky scored the Hawks lone goal on a power play in the 1st period. That goal tied the game at 1. But the Predators pulled away in the 2nd period scoring on 2 of their 9 shots on goal against Antti Niemi. Not good. And the Predators didn’t let up on the Hawks in the 3rd period – actually outshooting them 13-10 and scoring once to extend their lead to 4-1.
The Hawks have their work cut out for them. Are the Hawks being stubborn in not changing their game plan for this careful, consistent Predators squad? If they are trying to change their own style of play, is it just not working? Patrick Sharp said — “We need to get back to the drawing board and be better in Game 4.” That leads you to believe that the Hawks have not made the necessary adjustments leading into Game 3. Will Coach Quenneville do his job and make the changes? “I really thought we lost all momentum in that second period, and they took the game over. I think the building was alive. It had some personality. We put ourselves in the spot we’re in.”
The Blackhawks are just 8-18 in playoff series in which they have lost 2 of the 1st 3 games. Not a good stat. I still have faith that the Hawks will find a way to win Game 4 in Nashville. They had their backs against the wall in Game 2 and they found a way to win 2-0. Now it’s time to do the same on the road. Only 24 hours to go – then we’ll find out how tough this Blackhawks team really is…
