Nashville Predators can't survive a wild 3rd period, lose 5-4 in Chicago

by Dirk Hoag on Dec 27, 2009 9:35 PM EST

After the Nashville Predators made an unlikely comeback in the final minutes of regulation (with two goals from defensemen tying the game 4-4), Patrick Kane scored a late goal for Chicago to lift the Blackhawks to a 5-4 win over the Preds.

For Nashville, it was the first time in 14 games this season that they lost a game in which they led after two periods.

Follow after the jump for the video highlights and a few thoughts...

The frustrating part of this game is that the Predators led 2-1 heading into the final period, only to see a series of penalties turn the tide. Twice John Madden scored just moments after the Predators had successfully killed off a penalty, taking the Blackhawks to a 3-2 lead, then Brian Campbell scored while Dan Hamhuis was in the box for tripping to stretch it to 4-2.

With just 6:27 remaining at that point and the Predators scrambling, things looked pretty hopeless. But Hamhuis atoned for his mistake by firing home a long shot on a delayed call against Chicago to bring the Preds within 1, and less than a minute later, Cody Franson slipped through quick wrister to tie the game with 3:25 left.

Ultimately, however, Nashville couldn't even force overtime as Kane fired a wrister that Dan Ellis stopped, only to corral the rebound in for another shot that he roofed over Ellis' glove hand. Ellis finished with 24 saves on 29 Blackhawk shots.

Is it time to start worrying about the Predators goaltending? For the 9th straight game, an opponent has scored at least 3 goals.

No advanced stats tonight, I'm wiped after a long drive back home from the holiday weekend.

The Predators' road trip continues Tuesday in St. Louis and Thursday in Columbus, before they return home to face Anaheim on Saturday night (which is reportedly close to selling out, like yesterday's game).

For discounted tickets for Saturday against the Anaheim Ducks, or any Nashville Predators home game, you can follow this link and use the special offer code "PREDS".

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here we go again

looks like last season and earlier this year. good teams just dont give up 3 goals (last night) and 4 goals( tonight) in a period. too many penalties and lousy special teams. while goaltending may be part of it ellis didnt have anything to do w/ madden being left alone down ice…. TWICE. nor is it his fault we keep taking stupid penalties and we are unable to clear our zone. we werent even ready to play last night. better tonight on the compete level. the worst part is that the pattern seems to always be once we start this type play it continues and we will keep hearing post game comments like " we need to play 60 minutes".

by predswilrule on Dec 27, 2009 10:19 PM EST reply actions

Bad Preds

are rearing their heads again. Important three game stretch against teams that we are better than (STL, CBJ, ANA). Need at least 5 of 6 points after going pointless for 3 games.

This is one of the streakiest teams I’ve seen in a while. We can be absolutely unstoppable for stretches, and then wilt away. Baffling.

Oh well…adversity makes you stronger?

by Chris Burton on Dec 27, 2009 11:47 PM EST reply actions