The Nashville Predators looked to try and finish the year strong at Bridgestone Arena when they played the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday night. Gold rally towels were on the seats and there was an increased energy in the air.

Chicago would throw a wrench in their plans early on as they scored on the opening powerplay against a Predators team who ranks 25th in the league on the PK for the month of December.

But it was short-lived as Filip Forsberg notched his fourth goal in five games just thirty-five seconds later after a nice saucer pass from Ryan Johansen. Nashville controlled the majority of play and edged the Blackhawks in shots by a substantial 16 to 6 margin after one.

After an opening ten minutes of domination by Nashville, the Blackhawks began to push back with chances of their own. No goals were scored, but the inability of the Predators to capitalize on their chances left something to be desired as the teams skated off the ice at intermission.

Nashville would enter third period tied for the second straight game. In a month where they’ve only scored two PP goals, Ekholm finds Fisher in front on the man advantage to give the Predators a lead early in the third period.

On a very questionable tripping penalty instigated by Corey Crawford, Chicago ties the game up as the fans in Bridgestone let them hear their displeasure with the call. Chicago would capitalize on the momentum as Patrick Kane wrists one by Rinne from the right side with just over five minutes remaining.

Nashville would end up falling to Chicago by score of 3-2. A soul-crushing type of loss when taking everything into consideration.

The Predators will attempt to end the year with a win in St. Louis against the Blues tomorrow night.

Random Observations

• A group of Blackhawks cheering during the National Anthem wasn’t going over well in the stands.
• Granberg seems to have regressed from last season.
• Reid Boucher might be sticking around for awhile. Nice player.
• Ribeiro with a lazy defensive play leading to Blackhawks goal.
• Forsberg has more goals in his last five games than he had his first thirty.
• Forsberg just hit the jumbotron with the puck. He can do it all.
• I only see Arvidsson on breakaways
• Powerplay could use some work.
• Nashville is completely outplaying Chicago through the first half of the game.
• Blackhawks begining to find their footing towards the end of the second period.
• Great patience by Ekholm on the Fisher goal.
• Fans are not amused with the Craig Smith penalty. Sneaky play by Crawford.

OTF’s Super Duper Stars of the Game

1. Filip Forsberg- He’s heating up, folks. It’s going to be hard to slow him down any time soon.
2. Viktor Arvidsson- He’s becoming a nice forward in his own zone. Used more frequently on the PK.
3. Mattias Ekholm- Incredible patience on a much needed goal for the struggling power play.

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