Blackhawks beat Predators; End Short Skid

The Blackhawks got a goal in each period and beat the Nashville Predators 3-1 at the United Center Sunday night. The win snapped a two game losing streak, including a loss to the Preds Saturday in Nashville.

Dustin Byfuglien got the scoring started in the first, only to have Nashville tie it up less than two minutes later. Dave Bolland netted the game winner in the second period off a nice play by Andrew Ladd. Martin Havlat added an empty netter in the third to give the Hawks the win.

The main positive from the game, other than ending a short losing streak, is that the game was a close one throughout. It's been weeks since the Hawks have won a close game and Joel Quenneville, along with some players commented on the importance of playing in and winning close games.

It was another packed house at the United Center, making it the 19th sellout in 19 home games for Chicago. The Hawks have only lost one game at home in regulation, so all of the support seems to be helping. That's a good thing, because four of the Hawks five remaining games in January are at home, including two this week. Buffalo comes to town Wednesday and the New York Rangers on Friday.

Blackhawks Home Opener Tonight

The Blackhawks will host the Nashville Predators tonight at 7:30 in the Hawks home opener. After an 0-2 start, Chicago will be hoping the fans in the United Center will give them the boost they need to get in the win column.

The heightened buzz coming into the season should help the atmosphere tonight, despite the slow start. The slow start on the power play is the main concern for Chicago this season. Their struggles to score with a man advantage last season kept them out of the playoffs and this year they have failed to score in their first eight chances.

Newly acquired defenseman Brian Campbell was brought in to improve the power play and he'll get his chance tonight to show Hawks fans in person that he was a valuable pick-up.

You can catch the game on TV on Comcast Sports Net.