Panarin's goal against Preds not to be forgotten
Because of Ryan Hartman's hat trick in the Blackhawks' 5-2 win over Nashville on Sunday, Artemi Panarin's remarkable first-period goal almost became a footnote.
Not that it was lost on his linemate.
"His backside might've been touching the boards, but that's a pretty impressive shot," said Patrick Kane, who passed to Panarin and watched the Russian sensation bury a one-timer over Pekka Rinne's right shoulder from an incredible angle. "When he gets kind of loaded up in that area, it's not a bad idea to pass it to him."
Said coach Joel Quenneville: "Tremendous shot. Couldn't have put it in a better spot."
Panarin, who scored 30 goals last season and won the Calder Trophy, has 17 this season and is on pace for 32. He also has 9 goals and 9 assists in the past 14 games.
Slap shots:
Joel Quenneville coached his 1,500th regular-season game Sunday in the Hawks' 5-2 win over Nashville. Only Al Arbour (1,607) and Scotty Bowman (2,141) have more coached in more. … Duncan Keith has at least 1 point in 10 of the last 12 games. He ranks second among defensemen with 28 assists, just 2 behind Tampa Bay's Victor Hedman.
Blackhawks vs. Detroit Red Wings, 7:30 p.m.
TV: WGN • Radio: WGN 720-AM
The skinny: Since the 2011-12 season, the Hawks are 11-1-4 against the Red Wings. … Unless Detroit gets red hot, it looks like the franchise's 25-year run of making the Stanley Cup playoffs will come to an end. Only the Islanders (38) have fewer points than Detroit's 39 in the Eastern Conference. The Wings have gone 11-16-5 after a 6-2-0 start. … The Red Wings have the worst power play in the league, converting on 11.2 percent of their chances. … Detroit is 5-0 in games that go to shootouts, the most wins and best record of any team. … Anthony Mantha leads the team with 11 goals, 7 of which have come in the last eight games.
Next: Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center, 6 p.m. Friday
- John Dietz