O'Reilly lifts Predators over Chicago in shootout

NASHVILLE, Tenn.-- It's getting difficult to find the positives as the losses mount, but the Blackhawks are trying.

Again the Hawks did some good things Saturday night, including getting 2 goals from Jack Skille, but they blew another third-period lead and lost to the Predators 4-3 in a shootout at Bridgestone Arena.

“We're going to stay up and we're going to stay with it,” captain Jonathan Toews said after the Hawks' third straight loss and eighth in the last 11 games. “We're looking at the big picture when you go through a rough time like this and more specifically that's just remembering that we're a good team and what we're capable of doing.”

“Good teams go through tough moments like this and for us it's coming earlier this year, but we know we're just going to be better from it once we get out of it once we get going and start getting points on the board,” Toews said. “We're not going to get frustrated from this.”

Even as the Hawks have struggled mightily over the first month of the season, the power play has been a bright spot.

It wasn't Saturday night.

The Hawks went 0-for-4 and failed on a critical 5-on-3 late in the second period leading by a goal.

Still they had the lead going into the final 10 minutes when Nashville's Cody Franson scored with 9:37 to play in regulation.

Goalie Marty Turco got the Hawks to the shootout with 3 huge saves on Shea Weber's blast during a Predators' power play in overtime.

But Turco was scored upon by Cal O'Reilly in the shootout with Toews, Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp all failing to beat Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne.

Skille's 2 goals gave the Hawks a 3-2 lead heading to the third period, but they were kicking themselves for failing to cash in on a 5-on-3 late in the second that lasted 82 seconds.

“The 5-on-3 there for the extended period, it would have been nice to get that 2-goal lead,” said Hawks coach Joel Quenneville.

“We seem to be having a stretch now where we just can't get ahead when we have an opportunity to distance ourselves or put us in a good spot. That was certainly the differential maybe when you look at it at the end, but you still can't give up that third one.”

The Hawks, who were outshot 10-4 in the third period, now are 5-4 when leading after 40 minutes.

“That's something we have to learn soon as a team,” Dave Bolland said. “Those are the key points in the game, keeping that lead and making sure we're all ready to keep that lead.”

In addition to Skille's first 2 goals of the season, Viktor Stalberg got his fifth in the second period to bring the Hawks back from a 2-1 deficit.

But in the end, the Hawks were left trying to put a positive spin on yet another defeat.

“There are some positives and when you're not winning I think you don't want to bring so much negativity in it where it's not productive,” Quenneville said.

“There are some positive things, but we can't lose momentum in games based on what we do and I think that's where we have to make sure we get rid of that type of thing.”

Tim Sassone's game tracker

<p><b>Predators 4, Blackhawks 3 (SO)</b></p>

<p>Three stars</p>

<p>1. Cal O'Reilly, Predators: Scored the winner in the shootout and was around the net all night.</p>

<p>2. Jack Skille, Hawks: Got his first 2 goals of the season.</p>

<p>3. Shane O'Brien, Predators: Defenseman scored a goal and played 19 strong minutes.</p>

<p><b>Hammer time</b></p>

<p>The Hawks blocked 22 shots, including 9 by defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson.</p>

<p><b>The quote</b></p>

<p>“It was a defining moment.” - Predators coach Barry Trotz on killing 82 seconds of a Hawks 5-on-3 in the second period while trailing 3-2.</p>