Olczyk surprised struggling Vermette a healthy scratch

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - When the Blackhawks acquired Antoine Vermette at the trade deadline, Eddie Olczyk went on the radio and - understandably - extolled the virtues of the 32-year-old veteran center.

Olczyk said it was a "pretty strong message" being sent by Hawks general manager Stan Bowman about how serious the team was in making another run at the Stanley Cup, especially in the wake of Patrick Kane's injury just a week prior.

"We saw how impactful he was (in 2012) in that (playoff) series against the Blackhawks," Olczyk said that day. "The center-ice position was the difference (for Phoenix) and Vermette was an important part of that. He plays on the right side of the puck and that'll definitely put a smile on the face of Joel Quenneville."

Six weeks later, Vermette - with no goals and 3 assists as a Hawk - has given Quenneville and Co. very little to smile about. The 11-year veteran with 58 postseason games under his belt was a healthy scratch in Game 1 of the Hawks' quarterfinal series against Nashville on Wednesday.

In the series Olczyk referred to, Vermette piled up 4 goals and an assist as the Coyotoes eliminated the Hawks in six games and advanced to the Western Conference finals.

Olczyk told the Daily Herald that despite Vermette's wretched numbers since arriving in Chicago, he doesn't believe Vermette has struggled offensively as much as it appears. The problems, Olczyk said, include issues in picking up the Hawks' defensive system and the fact that Vermette may be pushing too hard in a contract year.

"He's kind of been in-between a lot (on the ice)," Olczyk said. "He's played the wing, he's played center. I'm as surprised as anybody that it hasn't been a better fit to this point. ...

"He's a veteran guy. You get your chance, you've got to get back in there. I am surprised that he's not playing."

Bowman, who gave up a first-round pick for Vermette, wasn't about to deem the trade a failure yet, saying there's too much focus on the first game "of hopefully a long playoff run."

He later added: "I think what we were trying to do at the time was get depth, be it forward or defense. Even getting into the playoffs you need some depth. ... Going forward we can measure the effectiveness of each individual player at a different date."

Don't go changin':

Patrick Kane said the beginning of the playoffs "is always an anxious, nerve-wracking time for everyone."

While the Predators weren't about to come out and say they are more nervous because Kane is back weeks before he was scheduled to be, they certainly understand his return makes taking out the Hawks that much more difficult.

"I think everybody realizes he's a terrific talent, a skilled player, playoff performer," said Nashville coach Peter Laviolette. "Certainly he's capable of changing a game offensively. Defensively we're going to have play a good game, not only against him (because) they've got a talented team."

Tip-ins:

There were 11 power plays through the first overtime. ... During the regular season, both teams ranked in the top five in fewest penalty minutes per game. The Hawks were second (7.3), while Nashville was fifth (8.5). ... The Predators won 42 of 71 faceoffs (59 percent) through the first OT. ... Nashville's Colin Wilson had just 1 goal in 13 postseason games coming into Game 1. He scored twice in the first period Wednesday. ... Niklas Hjalmarsson scored for just the second time in the postseason (95 games). His other tally came in 2010.

Three stars of the game

John Dietz picks his three stars of Game 1:

1. Scott Darling. Took over for Corey Crawford and turned away all 42 shots he faced, including a miraculous save with 9:16 left in the third period on a point-blank shot by Ryan Ellis. And then many more after that. Truly an amazing performance.

2. Duncan Keith. Scored the game-winning goal, added an assist and played a game-high 39 minutes, 51 seconds.

3. Patrick Kane. He assisted on the Hawks' second and third goals, both on the power play. Kane's ability to control the puck was sorely missed in this phase of the game in the 21 contests he sat with a broken collarbone.