Hartman's Natural Hat Trick Propels Blackhawks Past Predators, 5-2

Ryan Hartman recorded his first career hat trick, and Patrick Kane recorded three assists as the Chicago Blackhawks won their third game in a row, 5-2 over the Nashville Predators.  This was the third game of a four game home stand for the Hawks.  It proved to be what the doctor ordered after losing five of their previous six.

Artemi Panarin started the scoring with another of his patented one-timer's, fed to him by Kane, that beat Predators goalie, Pekka Rinne stick side.  It was his 17th of the season.  It was short lived as Mattias Ekholm tied the game just :45 later.  Niklas Hjalmarsson would score his 5th goal, a career high, to put the Hawks back on top 2-1, provided by traffic in front of the net by Artem Anisimov.

After a scoreless second period, Austin Watson tied the game for Nashville just two minutes into the third.  Enter Ryan Hartman.  He scored his first of three goals while crashing the net and having a Richard Panik shot deflect off of him and into the net to give the Hawks a 3-2 lead, just over half way through the 3rd.  Corey Crawford (25 saves), had to be strong in net, along with the goal post, that the Predators rang 3 shots off of during the night.

Hartman would score his second goal as he slapped a bouncing puck that trickled into the empty net when Rinne (26 saves), for the extra attacker.  With Rinne still pulled, Hartman finished off his natural hat trick en route to the 5-2 victory.

Notable Mentions:  Duncan Keith, who assisted on Hjalmarsson's goal, gave him 487 points as a Blackhawk, tying him with Hockey Hall of Famer, Chris Chelios for 3rd most points as a defenseman.  Keith also registered 5 blocked shots tonight.  Kane's 3 assist performance gives him 7 points in his last 3 games (1G, 6A).  the combo of Keith and Hjalmarsson combined for 3 points (1G 2A), +5, 5 shots, 9 blocked shots, and an average TOI of 25:10.

3 Stars of the Night
1st - CHI - Ryan Hartman ~ 3G, +3
2nd - CHI - Patrick Kane ~ 3A, +2
3rd - NAS - Mike Fisher ~ 2A

Next Game: Tuesday, January 10th, Home vs. Detroit Red Wings, 7:30PM CT, Television: WGN-TV, Radio: WGN-720AM

LET'S GO HAWKS!!!

Pictures provided by NHL.com