Blackhawks 3, Predators 1
Defenseman Duncan Keith recorded a goal and an assist as visiting Chicago defeated Nashville for its fifth victory in six games.
Patrick Kane scored his team-leading 20th goal and defenseman Nick Leddy registered his fourth as the Blackhawks avenged a 7-2 defeat at Nashville on Nov. 16. Antti Raanta made 27 saves as Chicago coach Joel Quenneville won his 685th career game, passing Pat Quinn for fourth on the all-time list.
Defenseman Shea Weber scored his eighth goal for the Predators, who saw their three-game winning streak end. Carter Hutton turned aside 24 shots for Nashville, which surrendered two power-play goals for the first time since Oct. 26.
Keith hammered a shot past Hutton from the high slot 1:29 into the game and Weber answered with a slapper from the top of the left circle 1:34 later on the power play. Chicago regained the lead when Kane zipped down the right wing and lifted a backhand over Hutton’s glove with 3:46 left in the opening period.
Leddy tallied on the power play 11:33 into the second session, knocking home the rebound of Brandon Saad's shot that Hutton kicked to his right. Chicago limited the Predators to seven shots - three of them late - in the final period as Raanta improved to 7-1-1 in his rookie season.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Kane extended his point streak to 10 games and notched at least one in 22 of the last 23 contests. … Nashville had a 34-19 edge in the faceoff circle as Paul Gaustad won nine of 11. … The Blackhawks are unbeaten (14-0-0) when leading after the first period.