Chicago Blackhawks vs Nashville Predators Game 3 Preview
The Nashville Predators may have taken Game 1 of the Western Quarterfinal Series from the Blackhawks, but coach Joel Quenneville's lineup changes played out in Chicago's favor as the Hawks took Game 2, 2-0 Sunday. Chicago's offense has been slow in the start, with a playoffs-low 1.50 goals per game, but the forwards had numerous close calls Sunday and look ready to take on Nashville in Game 3. Despite the slow offensive start, Patrick Kane has managed to tally two goals and an assist, representing 3.75 of Chicago's points and .167 of the points scored in the series by both teams. The Blackhawks are 52-22-8 with 112 regular season points (1-1 in the quarterfinals). They won the Central Division, finishing ahead of second-place Detroit by 10 points and finished with the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.
In the regular season, Chicago is 34-25-4 with six overtime losses all-time against Nashville, with a 20-13-1 record with two overtime losses all-time hosting the Predators at the United Center. They are 14-13-3 with four overtime losses all-time in Nashville.
Who's Between the Pipes? Antti Niemi will come off a 2-0 shutout in Game 2 Sunday, stopping 23 shots. Niemi's regular season line was 26-7-4 with a 2.25 goals-against average and .912 save percentage. The Predator's Pekka Rinne will come off of Sunday's loss stopping 31 of 33 shots. His season line ended at 32-16-5 with a 2.53 goals-against average and .911 save percentage.
By: Angie Wiatrowski |
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