Imagine being a rookie goalie, thrown into the NHL spotlight unexpectedly, and then silencing all doubters with an absolutely stunning shutout victory. That's exactly what happened for Drew Commesso of the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night!
Nashville, TN – In a game that showcased both youthful exuberance and veteran savvy, the Chicago Blackhawks soared to a 3-0 victory over the Nashville Predators. The story of the night? Goaltender Drew Commesso, making his first NHL start of the season, stood tall between the pipes, turning away all 37 shots he faced to secure his first-ever NHL shutout and win. Talk about making a statement!
But here's where it gets controversial... Was this a fluke performance, or is Commesso the real deal? Some might say it was just one good game, while others will argue he's the future of the Blackhawks' goaltending.
Commesso's journey to this moment was anything but ordinary. He was called up from the Rockford IceHogs, the Blackhawks' AHL affiliate, on Friday due to illnesses sidelining both Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom. His first NHL start of the season, which happened to be the same night as the call-up, was a tough 5-1 loss at home against Washington. The pressure was on, but the 23-year-old former Boston University standout showed remarkable resilience, bouncing back with a stellar performance against the Predators in only his fourth career NHL appearance.
And let's not forget Connor Bedard, the highly touted rookie sensation, who played his second game back after recovering from a shoulder injury that kept him out for 12 games. Bedard was instrumental in the Blackhawks' victory, setting up the first two goals with his incredible vision and playmaking abilities.
Tyler Bertuzzi, continuing his impressive season, notched his team-leading 23rd goal and also contributed an assist. Nick Lardis and Ryan Greene added the other goals for Chicago, who are now riding a wave of success, having won four of their last five games, despite this being their only road game in an eight-game homestand-heavy stretch.
Bertuzzi's power-play goal came at 6:41 of the second period, capitalizing on a beautiful cross-crease pass from Bedard. The Blackhawks were awarded the man advantage after Roman Josi was whistled for holding Oliver Moore. This sparked a debate: Was the holding call on Josi justified, or was it a soft call that changed the momentum of the game?
Lardis extended the lead with 8:59 remaining in the third period, firing a wrist shot past Predators goalie Juuse Saros after receiving a pinpoint pass from Bedard in the high slot. Bertuzzi then sealed the deal by setting up Greene's empty-net goal.
Saros, despite the loss, made 18 saves for the Predators. And this is the part most people miss... Saros is considered one of the best goalies in the league. The Blackhawks were able to beat him multiple times, which speaks volumes about their offensive capabilities that night.
Looking Ahead:
- Blackhawks: Host Edmonton on Monday night. This will be a tough test for Commesso, going up against Connor McDavid and the high-powered Oilers offense. Can he repeat his stellar performance?
- Predators: Host Washington on Sunday night. The Predators will be looking to bounce back from this loss and get back on track in front of their home crowd.
What are your thoughts on Commesso's performance? Was it a sign of things to come, or just a one-off? And how do you see the Blackhawks' season unfolding with Bedard back in the lineup? Let us know in the comments below!
