Watch: Nick Foligno and Jeremy Lauzon exchange flurry of punches

By Arnab Mondal

Modified Jan 05, 2024 12:43 GMT

Nick Foligno emerged as the unwavering guardian for the Chicago Blackhawks in a recent clash against the Nashville Predators, as he engaged in a no-holds-barred fisticuff with Jeremy Lauzon. The spark that ignited this intense exchange was Lauzon's colossal hit on Philipp Kurashev, propelling the game into a whirlwind of punches and penalties.

Lauzon's thunderous check on Kurashev resonated through the arena, prompting Nick Foligno to leap into action in defense of his teammate. The ensuing battle between Foligno and Lauzon was nothing short of a spectacle, with both players unleashing a barrage of punches in a display of raw, unbridled determination.

Amidst the chaos, Lauzon's jersey became a casualty, but it failed to deter him from throwing punches. The referees intervened, handing out matching five-minute fighting penalties to both combatants. Foligno also received a two-minute penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct, momentarily leaving the Blackhawks at a numerical disadvantage.

As the second period concluded, the Predators held a narrow 1-0 lead over the Blackhawks.

Nick Foligno's intensity falls short: Blackhawks succumb to Predators in 3-0 defeat

In a convincing display at Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday, Juuse Saros showcased his goaltending ability, securing his second shutout of the season as the Nashville Predators triumphed over the Chicago Blackhawks 3-0. Saros made 21 saves, solidifying the Predators' backline and contributing to their consecutive wins.

Gustav Nyquist, instrumental in the Predators' offense, opened the scoring at 5:16 of the first period with a precision wrist shot from the left circle during a power play. Nyquist's goal extended his impressive six-game point streak, accumulating nine points over the period.

The Blackhawks, struggling to find an answer to Saros's resilience, faced a 2-0 deficit when Ryan O'Reilly capitalized on a 5-on-3 power play opportunity at 15:23 of the third period. O'Reilly converted a cross-crease pass from Filip Forsberg at the right post.

As the game reached its conclusion, Luke Evangelista sealed the Predators' victory with an empty-net goal at 19:28, securing the 3-0 final score. The Blackhawks' woes continued, compounded by the departure of Anthony Beauvillier, who left the game after a hit into the boards by Forsberg and did not return.

The Predators, now 21-16-1, are on an upward trajectory, while the struggling Blackhawks (11-24-2) face a challenging stretch with three consecutive losses.