10 observations: Hawks overcome three-goal deficit in win originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The Blackhawks knocked off the Nashville Predators 5-4 in overtime on Wednesday at the United Center.
Here are 10 observations from the win:
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1. The Blackhawks were dead in the water. They fell behind 4-1 in the opening minute of the third period and the obituaries were starting to be written. But then they rallied by scoring three goals in a span of 2:51 to force overtime, and that's where the magic happened.
2. Brandon Hagel, who did not play on Monday because his COVID-19 test to prove the initial one was a false positive did not come back in time, had a pair of assists and capped off the three-goal comeback with the overtime winner. It was his second overtime goal in four games and it's the biggest one of his young career.
3. Malcolm Subban was given the start after Kevin Lankinen gave up five goals in Monday's loss and he was absolutely terrific. He stopped 36 of 40 shots for a save percentage of .900, but many of those shots were from high-danger areas. In fact, 23 of the 40 shots came from the slot, according to Sportlogiq.
4. The Blackhawks have officially beaten every team in the Central Division this season. Here's their record against each team:
- 2-2-1 vs. Carolina
- 6-2-0 vs. Columbus
- 4-2-0 vs. Dallas
- 6-2-0 vs. Detroit
- 2-3-1 vs. Florida
- 1-4-2 vs. Nashville
- 1-5-1 vs. Tampa Bay
5. The Blackhawks went five straight games without holding a lead against Nashville, a span of 305 total minutes. They finally scored the first goal this time, but their lead was short-lived. The Predators scored just 10:02 later.
6. The Predators average 29.6 shots per game, which ranks No. 17 in the NHL. They recorded 30 shots in the first two periods alone, 17 of which came from the slot, and finished with 40.
7. The Blackhawks went with 11 forwards and seven defensemen, which wasn't surprising given their recent injuries on the back end over the last two weeks. Dylan Strome was a healthy scratch.
8. Vinnie Hinostroza turned in another solid outing for the Blackhawks. He drew two penalties, scored the second of the three goals in the third period, recorded a primary assist, and was the reason Chicago got on the board first after his backcheck led to Pius Suter's goal.
9. The Predators and Blackhawks rank 23rd and 24th, respectively, in hits per 60 minutes at 19. But this was a physical game and it wasn't surprising, considering the stakes. The Predators were credited with 36 hits while the Blackhawks registered 29.
10. Calvin de Haan played only five shifts before leaving in the first period with a hip injury. He did not return. It's the fourth time in six games the Blackhawks lost a defenseman mid-game and were forced to play short, although it's a good thing they dressed six defensemen in this one.
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