The Blackhawks lost 5-2 to the Nashville Predators on Thursday after allowing three unanswered first-period goals. Here are four takeaways:
Bad first
The Nashville Predators hired a new coach (John Hynes) two days ago, were 1-4-1 in their past six games and allowed four shorthanded goals against Boston on Tuesday. That's why it was surprising to see them lead the Blackhawks 3-0 after one period on Thursday.
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The Hawks had won six of their past nine and only trailed the Preds by one point ahead of the game.
Each first-period goal was a result of poor play in Chicago's end. Roman Josi maneuvered around Hawks defenseman Adam Boqvist before backhanding a puck off Viktor Arvidsson and only 3:16 into the game.
Then, Colin Blackwell was left alone on the right circle for his first NHL goal at 8:22 and Matt Duchene scored at 16:55 after Jonathan Toews turned the puck over attempting to clear it up the middle.
Kubalik stays hot
NHL
Blackhawks rookie forward Dominik Kubalik scored a beauty, his third in three straight games, at 6:43 of the second period to make it 3-1. The 24-year-old picked the left corner of the net after he jumped on a loose puck and fired a wrist shot from the right circle.
It was Kubalik's 14th goal of the year, the second-most among NHL rookies (Victor Olofsson - 16). Kubalik has 24 points (14 goals, 10 assists) in 43 games.
Kane 1K watch
Patrick Kane reached 994 career points Thursday, picking up the secondary assist on Alex DeBrincat's power-play goal at 5:32 of the third period to cut the Predators' lead to 3-2.
Kane, entering the offensive zone, passed it to Toews, who passed it to DeBrincat in the slot. DeBrincat backhanded the puck over Pekka Rinne's stick and into the net.
Nashville later scored two empty-net goals in the third period for the 5-2 final score.
Caggiula returns
Blackhawks forward Drake Caggiula returned to the lineup after missing the past 27 games while in concussion protocol. Caggiula slotted in on fourth line at the right wing of Zack Smith.
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