The Chicago Blackhawks were needing to get back into the win column coming into Friday night’s action. Most of the season, they have gone at least two to three losses in a row in between victories. They had lost their previous two contests, with their most recent contest versus the Edmonton Oilers being in overtime after fighting to get back into the game. Lineup changes included Jason Dickinson coming out with an injury, with Philipp Kurashev drawing back into the lineup in his place. Petr Mrazek got the start in net, swapping in for Arvid Soderblom.
First period
After a bit of a slow start to the action, with two shots apiece through the first nine and a half minutes, the Blackhawks got something going. Alex Vlasic skated the puck in behind the net, feeding Frank Nazar in the circle, who buried his shot, giving the Blackhawks a 1–0 lead. It would not last long, though, as the Predators got a 2-on-1 20 seconds later. Colin Smith had a beautiful feed to Colton Sissons, and he snuck it past Mrazek, knotting things up at 1–1.
Just under six minutes later, though, the Blackhawks would retake the lead. Lukas Reichel had a great shot on net that got cleared out. The puck found itself on the stick of Pat Maroon, who made no mistake, giving the Blackhawks the 2–1 lead. They would take that lead into the intermission, with Connor Bedard taking a last-second penalty to put the Predators on the power play to start the second.
right on target🎯 pic.twitter.com/Z7Hxg4ucEi
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 8, 2025
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Second period
The Predators were not able to make anything out of that power play, but the Blackhawks gained one of their own a few minutes later. With Bedard not in the penalty box this time, he took a beautiful pass from Ryan Donato and buried a shot from the left circle, 3–1 Chicago.
CONNOR BEDARD 🚨
How about that release?! pic.twitter.com/5AWHJ8LrUq
— NHL (@NHL) February 8, 2025
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Just under 10 minutes later, the Blackhawks would put another one home. Donato took a pass from Teuvo Teravainen and put some moves on Juuse Saros to score his 17th of the season, 4–1 Blackhawks.
With nine seconds left in the frame, and the Blackhawks on the power play, Seth Jones got in deep and put home his sixth after a beautiful passing play all around from the Blackhawks.
Bedard ➡️ Donato ➡️ Jones
The @NHLBlackhawks are buzzin’ tonight! pic.twitter.com/oGCmjovTBC
— NHL (@NHL) February 8, 2025
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The second would end with Chicago holding a dominant 5–1 lead over Nashville.
Third period
Nashville massively outshot the Blackhawks in the third period, but it did not end up mattering much, as the damage was done. Donato picked up his second of the game streaking in alone against Saros, with a nice wrister over the pad.
POINT NO. 201 👏 pic.twitter.com/FrTNHQW7P5
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 8, 2025
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The Predators picked up a goal late from Thomas Novak, but the Blackhawks cruised to a 6–2 victory.
Analysis
The Blackhawks looked light years better than the Predators did. This team reminds me of how the Blackhawks looked in the couple prior years to Bedard’s arrival. They were aging and had little to show with regards to prospects coming up to instantly improve the team. The Blackhawks looked like they had things together this game. This team played smart hockey, but also took it to the Predators when situations presented themselves. The penalty kill and power play took care of business, which is the best thing you can ask for from a team that is still a few pieces away from putting it all together. Donato continues to have himself a season, and I would personally love to see the Blackhawks re-sign him if a killer offer does not arise come the trade deadline, as he seems like a great team player to keep around.
For their next game, the Blackhawks are taking on the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night. That game will be at 6 p.m. CST on CHSN.