Ryan Donato had two goals and two assists to lead the host Chicago Blackhawks to a 6-2 win over the Nashville Predators on Friday night.
Frank Nazar, Connor Bedard and defenseman Seth Jones had a goal and an assist each and Patrick Maroon also scored for the Blackhawks, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Teuvo Teravainen and defenseman Alex Vlasic each had two assists, and Petr Mrazek stopped 31 shots.
Colton Sissons and Tommy Novak scored for the Predators, who lost their sixth straight. Juuse Saros made 24 saves.
Nazar opened the scoring 8:37 into the game with a one-timer from just below the right faceoff dot off a pass from Vlasic, who was behind the net.
But it took only 20 seconds for Nashville to tie the game as Sissons slid a shot past Mrazek to complete a two-on-one rush after taking a pass from Cole Smith.
Maroon gave Chicago the lead for good with 5:06 left in the first period when he put in a loose puck from the bottom of the right circle.
The Blackhawks scored three in the second period to stretch their lead to 5-1. Donato had a hand in all three goals.
Bedard scored a power-play goal 5:47 into the middle period on a one-time slap shot from the left circle off a pass from Donato. With 4:36 left in the second, Donato came down the slot and slid a backhand shot between Saros’ pads. Jones produced a power-play goal with nine seconds remaining in the period when he tapped in a pass from Donato.
Donato extended his career high in goals to 18 with 6:42 left. His 36 points also extended his career high, and his 18 assists tied his total from 2023-24.
Novak scored with 1:03 left.
Blackhawks’ center Jason Dickinson missed the game with a left high ankle sprain suffered Wednesday in the 4-3 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers.
Each team plays Saturday night and then heads into the break for the 4-Nations Face-Off. Chicago is at the St. Louis Blues and Nashville hosts the Buffalo Sabres.
–Field Level Media
