NHL Game Summary - Nashville at Chicago
(Monday, October 13th)
Final Score: Nashville 3, Chicago 2 (SO)
Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Rich Peverley and J.P. Dumont each found the
back of the net in a shootout, helping the Nashville Predators spoil the
Chicago Blackhawks' home opener at the United Center by a 3-2 margin.
Peverley and Dumont made it a short 2-0 shootout for Nashville, as each
stashed his shot through the legs of Chicago goaltender Cristobal Huet.
Patrick Kane and Martin Havlat were each unable to sneak the puck by the
Preds' Dan Ellis.
"We both faked our shot and put it five-hole," Dumont said. "Huet is not going
to come out of the net, so we have to fake him a bit and get him to go down."
Shea Weber and Kevin Klein each tallied for the Predators, who won their
second consecutive game. Ellis made 23 saves to earn the victory.
Havlat and Patrick Sharp recorded the goals for the Blackhawks, who have yet
to win a game in three tries this season. Huet stopped 25-of-27 shots in
regulation but went 0-for-2 in the shootout.
"We need to improve on our breakouts and keep things simple," Huet said. "All
we can do is get ready for the next game and really give the fans something to
cheer for."
Chicago scored first on a 5-on-3 advantage. With Ryan Suter and Jerred
Smithson going off for penalties within 46 seconds, Havlat found some space
near the net and was able to tip-in a loose puck just 6:14 into the
game.
The Preds tied the score 3:15 later on the man-advantage. Weber took the
puck off the boards in the offensive zone and made a cross-ice pass to Suter.
After getting the puck right back, Weber one-timed a slapshot through traffic
and past Huet.
Nashville went up with 7:11 left in the period. Klein took a loose puck in on
net as he came out of the penalty box, finishing the breakaway by beating Huet
over the shoulder to the glove side for a 2-1 edge.
The Blackhawks came back to tie it early in the second. Ellis was able to stop
a slapshot from the point from Brent Seabrook, but the puck trickled away and
Sharp was able to stuff it home 29 seconds in.
However, the rest of regulation time went scoreless. Weber had the best chance
to end the game for either side in overtime, but Huet was equal.
Game Notes
Each team scored a power play goal in the contest...The Blackhawks recorded no
shots in overtime...Chicago went 5-1-2 against Nashville last
season...Predators forward Jason Arnott left the game in the third period with
an undisclosed injury...This game marked the Blackhawks' 82nd home opener, and
they are now 33-31-18 in those games.
10/13 23:44:20 ET
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