Deficits are nothing new for the Blackhawks against the Predators; twice they rallied from three-goal holes earlier this season for a victory and a tie.
But Friday night’s first-period fiasco, which led to a 5-3 loss at Nashville Arena, created a hole so Grand Canyonesque that Evel Knievel might have been interested.
The Hawks allowed Scott Walker to score in the first 75 seconds, then failed to score in 60 seconds of a five-on-three advantage. In short, a brutal start led to a missed opportunity to pull within a point of escaping the Western Conference basement.
Especially when Alex Zhamnov beat Mike Dunham at 15 minutes 57 seconds of the second period and then fed Tony Amonte for a power-play goal with 5:16 to play.
“We didn’t give up,” Hawks coach Lorne Molleken said.
Bob Boughner made it 4-2 at 15:38 with a slap shot from the point. The Hawks argued Sebastien Bordeleau interfered with Jocelyn Thibault, who was out of the crease, but to no avail.
Reid Simpson made it 4-3 at 16:16, tipping home a shot by Dave Manson. But Sergei Krivokrasov closed the scoring with an empty-netter with 47.2 seconds remaining.
The Hawks also failed to convert a full two minutes of a five-on-three early in the second period, managing just two shots.
Dealin’: The Hawks on Friday acquired defenseman Radim Bicanek, 24, from Ottawa in exchange for a sixth-round pick in this year’s NHL entry draft.
In 36 games with Grand Rapids (Mich.) of the International Hockey League this season, Bicanek has seven goals and 23 points. He will remain with Grand Rapids.
Take it easy: Doug Zmolek sat out Friday’s game after experiencing an irregular heartbeat during the morning skate. Trainer Mike Gapski said the defenseman is fine.
Bryan Muir, in exile since his contract negotiations stalled, took Zmolek’s place and allowed Walker to pounce on a rebound for Nashville’s first goal.
