In a much-anticipated Central Division tilt, the Predators came out firing against a struggling Chicago squad. The Predators took the first penalty of the evening with 7 minutes remaining in the first period. The home squad was able to kill off Mikael Granlund’s penalty with ease.
Nick Bonino scored for Nashville with 2 minutes remaining in the first period. The puck was bouncing all around Chicago goaltender Robin Lehner’s crease and Bonino was able to force it in.
Dante Fabbro took a penalty early in the second period, forcing the Predators back to the penalty kill. Chicago’s 26th-ranked power play was unable to get any momentum on the man advantage. Duncan Keith was found guilty of hooking and the Predators got their first chance on the power play. Nashville was unable to convert on the power play and 5-on-5 play resumed.
Nick Bonino put in his second of the night at the game’s halfway point. The Predators absolutely poured on the pressure through the second period. Slater Koekkoek found himself in the penalty box for hooking, and the Predators continued to pressure the Blackhawks on the power play.
To complete the hat trick, Nick Bonino scored his third goal of the evening at 3:40 of the third period. Koekkoek was once again sent to the penalty box, but the Chicago penalty killers were able to stymie the Nashville attack. Patrick Kane was handed two minor penalties with less than 10 minutes remaining in the game. Ryan Johansen was shortly sent to the box for hooking, but neither team was able to sustain much during some 4-on-4 time.
On Bonino’s hat trick, the Predators were able to coast to victory against their longtime divisional foes.
Random Observations
- Kyle Turris looks hungry tonight.
- Roman Josi is a well-loved man inside Bridgestone Arena tonight.
- OFF THE POST! Off the post again!
- Bonino Bonino Bonino!!!
- Pekka Rinne’s glove ruins dreams.
- I’m so glad “Party Up” is the power play song once again.
- Calle Järnkrok is going to have bad dreams about open nets.
- See above Re: Bonino Bonino Bonino!
- The shots on goal are incredible right now. (32-10 for Nashville.)
- Now our 40 shots on goal for Nashville…through TWO periods!
- A Nick Bonino hat trick. Well, I never.
- Oh no, Patrick Kane. He’s upset.
- So. Many. Shots. On. Goal. /
Super Duper Stars of the Game
- Nick Bonino: A hat trick for #13. I like it, I love it.
- Pekka Rinne: A shutout for the elder Finnish netminder. Icing on the cake for the Predators.
- Rocco Grimaldi: An assist hat trick? Is that a thing?
Tweets of the Game
Predators might want to consider taking shots from more than six inches away from the opposing goalie. Good pressure so far, though.
— Paul Skrbina (@PaulSkrbina) October 30, 2019
Preds are really controlling the pace and play so far. This is just delightful.
— Caroline (@carolianne_) October 30, 2019
I don’t want to give Matt Duchene all the credit for resurrecting the Predators’ power play, but I’d like to give him most of it.
— Adam Vingan (@AdamVingan) October 30, 2019
Congrats to Dante Fabbro on picking up his first career regular-season assist tonight vs. Chicago. #Preds
— Nashville Preds PR (@PredsPR) October 30, 2019
Rocco Grimaldi has three assists tonight, the first three-point game of his NHL career. #Preds
— Nashville Preds PR (@PredsPR) October 30, 2019