Morning Box Score: 'Hawks Continue Hot Start

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Oct 16, 2009 3:00PM

Hot damn, the Blackhawks are on a roll to start the 2009-2010 season. The team is now 5-1-1, their best start in 27 years, after rolling past Nashville 3-1 last night. After a scoreless first period that saw the 'Hawks take 12 shots, Chicago wasted no time getting on the board in the second, scoring two goals less than thirty seconds apart in the opening minutes of the period. Dustin Byfuglien netted a power play goal 2:21 into the period and Tomas Kopecky added a goal at 2:49 in to give the 'Hawks a 2-0 edge. The Predators answered quickly themselves as just 47 seconds later Martin Erat got one past Cristobal Huet to cut the lead to 2-1. The Predators, though, wouldn't get many more chances at scoring. Duncan Keith added a goal in the third to extend the lead and Nashville only got off two shots in the final period. Overall, Huet stopped 12 of 13 shots while the Blackhawks managed to take 30 overall. Brent Seabrook had two assists: on the Byfuglien and Keith goals. If you haven't gotten a chance to see the 'Hawks in action, now's the time. Beginning Saturday (versus Dallas, 7:30 p.m., WGN), five of the next six 'Hawks game - taking us through the end of October - are at home.