Missing DeBrincat, Boqvist, Hawks fall 3-2 in OT in Nashville
Nikita Zadorov had a simple, straightforward response when asked how much he thought the absence of Alex DeBrincat and Adam Boqvist would affect the Blackhawks going forward:
Said Zadorov: "We'll see today. We haven't played a game yet. No excuses right now."
Exactly. Most teams figure to lose players to COVID-19 protocol at some point this season, so there's no use complaining about it.
Strap in. Because it's going to be a bumpy ride.
That certainly proved to be the case for the Hawks during a 3-2 overtime loss at Nashville on Tuesday, with the Predators thoroughly dominating for long stretches. Roman Josi scored the game-winner 1:57 into OT after a miscommunication between Dylan Strome and Patrick Kane allowed Josi to rush the net uncontested.
Strome and Mattias Janmark scored for the Hawks (2-3-2), who got 36 saves from Malcolm Subban in net.
"Far from the level that we need to be at to consistently think we're going to get points," said coach Jeremy Colliton.
It was a particularly rough game for Kane, who did not fire a single shot at the net for just the seventh time in 980 career games. He also attempted a questionable pass to Dominik Kubalik in the offensive zone that helped lead to Mikael Grandlund's tying goal with 8:54 remaining.
Asked if Kane needs to be more selfish and shoot more, Colliton said: "I'm sure there's a lot of guys that will be better (in the rematch) tomorrow. He'll be one of them."
Strome opened the scoring just three minutes in after Andrew Shaw tipped a pass to him in front of the net. The play was set up after Kubalik's one-timer ricocheted off goalie Pekka Rinne.
Nashville tied it at 4:47 of the second period, but the Hawks regained the lead seven minutes later when Janmark picked up a loose puck and converted a breakaway. Janmark, who signed as a free agent in the off-season, has 3 goals after scoring just 12 in his last 143 contests with Dallas.
"I feel pretty good," Janmark said. "I'm just a hardworking player, but I do feel I have a lot of offense in me. The last couple games I've been able to produce a little. ...
"The ceiling here - with the way we play - is high. Hopefully I can keep getting better."
After Janmark's goal, though, it was pretty much all Nashville, which enjoyed a 39-20 SOG advantage and attempted another 33 shots that either missed their target or were blocked.
Colliton gave mostly short answers during his postgame presser, but he did elaborate when it was pointed out that he seemed more frustrated than usual after a loss.
"We're trying to find a standard that's going to allow us to have success long term. This wasn't it," Colliton said. "It's hard for us. I mean we've got guys out, but we can compete if we're willing to battle. ...
"You (need to) recognize when you're on the ice the game's in your hands for the team. I just didn't see the urgency and desperation that we've had when we've been good."