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Blackhawks Game Day

Soderblom, Top Line Earn Blackhawks a Point Against Predators

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The Chicago Blackhawks’ road woes continued Thursday night with a 3-2 shootout loss at the Nashville Predators. They have now lost seven straight road games and 12 of their last 13 since beating the Anaheim Ducks on Nov. 3. The game was there for the taking, but they came up short in the end.



Interim head coach Anders Sorensen wanted the Blackhawks to “be ready off the hop,” and he got that. The first few shifts saw the road team have the advantage. The top line with Connor Bedard, Tyler Bertuzzi, and Frank Nazar was humming. Then, the penalties started.

Ilya Mikheyev flipped the puck over the glass for a delay of game penalty eight minutes into the game. Steven Stamkos slammed home the game’s first goal from a bad angle 12 seconds later. Three minutes later, Seth Jones was called for a high-sticking infraction the Blackhawks eventually killed off.

The Blackhawks thought they tied the game with five minutes to go in the frame, but the play was waived off for goaltender interference. Captain Nick Foligno was bumped as he was trying to leave the crease, making contact with Jusse Saros.

The call of interference stood because while Foligno was trying to exit the crease, he still entered it of his own volition. If you go into the crease on your own power, it doesn’t matter what happens after. That standard was set early in the season. Nobody should have a problem with that if it is called every time. We’ll see if this standard is upheld come playoff time. The failed coach’s challenge led to the Predators’ third power play of the opening frame.

Bedard tied the game six and a half minutes into the middle frame. The play started because Predators defenseman Brady Skjei heard Nazar’s footsteps on the forecheck, forcing him to ring the puck around the board before his partner was ready for it. Bertuzzi jumped on the errant pass and quickly got to Bedard in the high slot for his 13th goal of the season.

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We’ve seen Alec Martinez score off opponents before, most notably in Game 7 of the 2014 Western Conference Finals. This time, it made Blackhawks fans happy. Less than 90 seconds after Bedard’s goal, Martinez’s shot from the point missed wide, but the rebound off the end boards hit off Jusse Saros’ backside and bounced into the net.

All the momentum the Blackhawks had in the second period stayed in the locker room when they came out for the last 20 minutes. The Predators dominated the start of the frame. Halfway through the third period, they had a 16-3 shot attempt advantage, including five high-danger scoring chances.

The top line changed the momentum with a remarkable shift where all three forwards had prime scoring chances, including a breakaway for Bertuzzi. Unfortunately, Saros was sharp despite spending much of the period watching and stopped all three shots.

Nashville needed those saves to keep them alive. With just over three minutes left in regulation, Filip Forsberg rewarded his goaltender by evening up the game. Somehow, he was left alone along the right boards, and he blasted a shot over Arvid Soderblom’s shoulder for his 300th career goal. Soderblom made a huge pad save on Roman Josi in the final seconds to send the game to overtime.

Soderblom carried his stellar play into overtime, stopping all six shots he faced to get the game to a shootout. His 39 saves were a new season-high, beating the 38 made against the Ducks in that Nov. 3 win. He also had a 38-save win against the Montreal Canadiens on Jan.3. Unfortunately, shootouts are not his thing, as he gave up goals on all three attempts he saw. In his career, he’s faced nine shootout attempts and has yet to make a stop. Teuvo Tervainen beat Saros on his attempt, but Bedard was denied by his paddle.

“It’s always tough to lose, no matter what,” Soderblom said after the game. “I felt like we played good as a team, and a good game by myself. It sucks not getting the win.”

It wasn’t ideal not to get the second point, but there were many positives from this game. The new top line was excellent. Bedard and Nazar looked like they had been playing together for years, and Bertuzzi complements their styles. The effort level and attention to detail were evident, which can’t be said after every game.

The Blackhawks, along with their dads and mentors, will be heading back to Chicago. They will all remain in town for Saturday’s night game against the Vegas Golden Knights.