Ryan Donato stars as the Blackhawks rout the slumping Predators 6-2 to end skid

Ryan Donato had 2 goals and 2 assists, and the Blackhawks handed Nashville its sixth straight loss with a 6-2 victory over the Predators on Friday night.

Connor Bedard, Seth Jones and Frank Nazar each had a goal and an assist as Chicago stopped a three-game slide. Pat Maroon also scored and Teuvo Teravainen had 2 assists.

It was the Blackhawks' first win over the Predators since a 2-1 victory at Nashville on March 16, 2023. The Predators had won six in a row in the Central Division series, including their first two meetings this season.

Colton Sissons and Tommy Novak scored for Nashville, which won five in a row before its current slide. Juuse Saros made 24 saves.

Chicago grabbed control in the second period. Donato set up Bedard's one-timer for a power-play goal at 5:47. Donato added a slick backhand at 15:24 before Jones finished a pretty passing sequence in the final seconds, giving the Blackhawks a 5-1 lead.

The big second period provided more than enough support for Petr Mrazek, who stopped 29 shots in the win.

Blackhawks center Jason Dickinson will be sidelined for a “couple games” with a high ankle sprain, interim coach Anders Sorensen said.

Dickinson was expected to get more tests Friday after leaving the Blackhawks' latest loss with an injured left leg.

“He'll miss the next couple games, then we'll see where we're at,” said Sorensen, who sounded more hopeful than after Wednesday night's 4-3 overtime loss to Edmonton.

Dickinson’s leg got pinned underneath him after colliding with Oilers forward Vasily Podkolzin early in the second period, and one of the Blackhawks' best all-around players wore a boot on his lower left leg as he left the locker room after the game.

The 29-year-old Dickinson has 7 goals and 9 assists in 53 games in his third season with the Blackhawks. Dickinson, who had a career-high 22 goals last year, also is one of the team’s best penalty killers.

Takeaways

Predators: Steven Stamkos turned 35 on Friday, and Ryan O'Reilly celebrated his 34th birthday. But it was a quiet night for each forward as the Predators continued to struggle.

Blackhawks: One of their best performances in a difficult season.

Key moment

Bedard opened Chicago's big second period with his 16th goal. He has three goals in his last five games.

Key stat

Donato set a career high with four points. He is up to a career-best 18 goals and 36 points on the season.

Up next

Both teams play again on Saturday. Nashville hosts Buffalo, and Chicago is at St. Louis.