Blackhawks being hurt by quick Predators goals

Friday, 04.24.2015 / 6:25 PM | Brian Hedger  - NHL.com Correspondent

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks said Friday they have to do something about the Nashville Predators scoring goals in bunches or responding to goals they allow by quickly scoring one of their own.

"It seems like they've been scoring one or two goals in a matter of minutes," Blackhawks forward Bryan Bickell said. "We need to have better preparation after goals for [and] goals against, knowing how big that shift really is to carry the momentum or change the momentum. They've just been capitalizing on some minor mistakes on our behalf to get goals like that."

Nashville scored 1:15 after Chicago took the lead, then twice 12 seconds apart in a 5-2, Game 5 win Thursday.

Chicago leads the best-of-7 series 3-2 with Game 6 Saturday at United Center (8 p.m. ET; NBC, SN, TVA Sports 2).

The mistakes have often been tied to the Blackhawks' defensive play, with breakdowns leading to odd-man scoring chances for the Predators.

In Game 5, defensive miscues and an inability to possess the puck led to multiple Chicago turnovers and Nashville scoring opportunities.

"I think we've let in too many goals against, especially in their building twice," Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson said. "They've scored a lot of goals (14 in three games). We have to do a better job, just as a five-man unit, to play as a group out there, and play together and help each other out better."

Back to top