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.
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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.
