Keith Leads Blackhawks to Closeout Predators

The Blackhawks came back from another first period deficit to close out Nashville with a 4-3 victory Saturday night. Duncan Keith scored the game-winning goal late in the third period to ignite the United Center faithful.

The series-ending goal featured a long shift by the Blackhawks top forward line and defensive pairing. The five were on the ice for well over a minute. Johnathan Toews got credit for the only assist but Marian Hossa, Brandon Saad and Brent Seabrook all touched the puck inside the offensive zone.

“That may have been our best shift all year long,” said Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville.” We sustained with a lot of good looks. Everyone had some touches and good recognition to make it a special goal and a special shift.”

Corey Crawford, who himself was replaced back in Game 1, was perfect in his relief effort. The All-Star goaltender stopped all 13 shots he faced. His defense played well in front of him, only allowing four shots on goal the final 20 minutes.

“They did a good job defensively and we weren’t able to do much in the third,” said Nashville head coach Peter Laviolette.

The opening period was as wild and crazy as you can get in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It featured a combined six goals and three goalies took to the ice.

Much of the first period mirrored what happened in Game 1. The Predators went up early as James Neal scored two goals in the first eight minutes to give the visitors an early lead.

All eyes went towards the Blackhawks bench to see if Scott Darling’s night would end prematurely. He remained in net and Chicago cut the lead in half when Patrick Sharp scored his third goal of the series at the 10:37 mark.

The Predators, like they have all series, struck quickly after being scored upon. Matt Cullen gave Nashville their two goal lead at 11:16. That wrist shot sent Darling to the bench and Crawford took back the Blackhawks’ net.

Quenneville wasn’t happy with how his team played out, “I thought we were horrible to start the game. Absolutely dreadful.”

The opening game of the series saw Crawford start and Darling enter, a move that seemed to spark the Blackhawks comeback. Déjà vu struck as Chicago stormed back to tie the game. Johnathan Toews used his leg to deflect a power play goal into the net making it a 3-2 game.

With only six seconds left in the crazy first, Patrick Kane made it 3-3. Brad Richards won a clean offensive zone draw and Kane’s slapshot beat the glove of Pekka Rinne, a goal that seemed to sink Nashville’s chances.

“I think the one that hurt a little bit was the one they got at the end of the first,” said Laviolette.

As the Predators head back to clean out their lockers for the summer, Chicago will sit and wait for their second round opponent. Chicago will either visit St. Louis or host Minnesota at some point in the coming week.

Either opponent will provide a rematch from previous playoff seasons. The Blackhawks ended the Blues season last year and have finished off the Wild the past two playoff runs.