The Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators enter Friday’s game on losing streaks. Chicago lost three straight and may be without Jason Dickinson, while Nashville is struggling after five consecutive defeats.
Blackhawks and Predators Look to End Losing Streaks in Friday’s Matchup
The Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators will face off in a Central Division game on Friday night in Chicago, with both teams trying to end their losing streaks.
Chicago has lost three games in a row, including a 4-3 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Nashville has dropped five straight games, most recently falling 5-2 to the Ottawa Senators on Monday.
Blackhawks Lose Key Player to Injury
The Blackhawks’ loss on Wednesday may have been even more costly as Jason Dickinson suffered a high ankle sprain in the second period. He had to be helped off the ice and left the arena wearing a walking boot.
Chicago interim coach Anders Sorensen gave an update on Thursday:
“He’ll miss the next couple games, then we’ll see where we’re at.”
Defenseman Alec Martinez highlighted Dickinson’s importance:
“That’s a guy you can’t just replace. He’s reliable, he’s good in the circles, reliable defensively, can contribute at both ends of the rink.”
Dickinson has 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 53 games this season.
On a positive note for Chicago, Craig Smith returned after missing 11 games with a back injury. He has six goals and five assists in 31 games.
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Blackhawks’ Comeback Falls Short
Chicago fought back from a 3-1 third-period deficit against Edmonton, with goals from Ryan Donato (power play, 7:48 left) and Alec Martinez (3:44 remaining).
However, Zach Hyman scored a power-play goal 1:36 into overtime, giving Edmonton the win.
Goalie Arvid Soderblom made 34 saves in a strong performance.
Ryan Donato expressed frustration after the loss:
“It’s definitely tough. (Soderblom) played a heck of a game, and he deserved better, but the fact that we put ourselves in that position is on us, right? I mean, you can look at the bright side, say ‘Yeah, we battled back.’ But if we did that without letting them have their chances and played that way and played desperate, you know, maybe could have gone a different way.”
Predators Struggling After Five Straight Losses
The Predators have been in a slump, losing five in a row, including a 3-0 shutout against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.
Coach Andrew Brunette was frustrated after Monday’s 5-2 loss to Ottawa:
“Probably the last two games have been as disappointed as I’ve been with our group. I understood tonight was a hard night. It’s four in six (nights) with travel and back-to-backs, but at the end of the day, with where we’re at, it’s a little disappointing with how we played.”
Nashville tied the game at 2-2 early in the third period with a goal from Jonathan Marchessault, but Ottawa scored three straight goals to pull away.
Ryan O’Reilly admitted to defensive mistakes:
“I feel like we get some momentum, and then little mistakes kill us. Two of their goals were mistakes that I kind of made defensively, lost coverage on both of them. As a guy that’s supposed to be a two-way center, that’s kind of garbage.”
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Standings and Team Leaders
The Predators are currently seventh in the Central Division, while the Blackhawks are last.
- Chicago’s leading scorer: Connor Bedard (46 points – 15 goals, 31 assists) in 53 games, but he has a -23 rating.
- Nashville’s top scorer: Filip Forsberg (51 points – 19 goals, 32 assists) in 52 games.
Roster Moves
The Predators waived forward Vinnie Hinostroza on Tuesday, and he was claimed by the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday.
Nashville also called up forward Joakim Kemell from the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) on Thursday.
With both teams looking to bounce back, Friday’s matchup in Chicago will be an important one.
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