CHICAGO, Ill. — The Chicago Blackhawks needed to win tonight to gather themselves after 4-1 loss two nights ago. Goaltender Antti Niemi also needed to erase the thought of the bouncing puck that went in that took the air out of the team and tonight they did. The Blackhawks were victorious in a 2-0 game to tie up the Western Conference Quarterfinal round at one game apiece. Niemi recorded the first playoff shutout for the Blackhawks since April 19, 1996 when Ed Belfour was in goal.
Chicago Head Coach Joel Quenneville decided to make some tweaks to his forward lines along with putting defenseman Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith back together since they we unstoppable when paired together in the past.
The Predators were without their difference-maker in Patric Hornqvist and that made a difference since they couldn’t get their game going through the night. They could only muster up 23 shots on goal tonight having five in the first and seven in the second, where Chicago fired for 33 shots on net.
After a scoreless first period, the Blackhawks struck on the power-play. As Chicago rushed the net, Patrick Kane shoveled the puck backhanded towards the net in the direction of team captain Jonathan Toews. Toews in traffic and with the puck spun around and passed it over to Dave Bolland who to a backhander himself that landed in the back of the goal behind Pekka Rinne at 8:44 in the period.
Chicago finished off the scoring for the game at at 4:18 into the third. It was Kane again making the play happen as he took possession of the puck and raced down the far lane with numbers for a three-on-one rush. Kane looked away from the net as if he was going to pass but instead he fired a wrist shot that Rinne missed.
Nashville played well. They had a great opportunity late in the game to score where they were given a five-on-three with Rinne pulled from the net and on the bench but held on to win the game and no send it off for two in Nashville.
Rinne stopped 31 of the 33 shots he faced as fellow Finn, Niemi won his first postseason game of his career. Both teams were called for seven penalties each where Kane was able to convert on one. This is unprecedented with the disciplined Predators.
The Blackhawks did have a puck go in in the first period but the referee had a quick whistle as a stoppage of play was called but the Blackhawks prevailed to send the series on the road.
Three Stars were: Dave Bolland (Chicago), Third Star with the game-winner; Patrick Kane (Chicago) with a goal and an assist; and Antti Niemi(Chicago) with the shutout.
Western Conference Quarterfinals (best-of-7) W2 Chicago Blackhawks vs. W7-Nashville Predators Game 1 – Friday, Apr. 16 – Nashville 4 at Chicago 1 Game 2 – Sunday, Apr. 18 – Nashville 0 at Chicago 2 Game 3 – Tuesday, Apr. 20 – Chicago at Nashville, 8:00 Game 4 – Thursday, Apr. 22 – Chicago at Nashville, 7:30 *Game 5 – Saturday, Apr. 24 – Nashville at Chicago, 2:00 *Game 6 – Monday, April 26 – Chicago at Nashville, TBD *Game 7 – Wednesday, Apr. 28 – Nashville at Chicago, TBD
Series ties at one win a piece
Contact Matt.Chin@prohockeynews.com
