The Nashville Predators opened their postseason campaign on a sad note, as they absorbed a gut-wrenching loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 1. Can the Preds shake off the taste of that bitter defeat and win Game 2? Or will the Blackhawks move two wins closer from advancing to the next round? Read on for more about this game. You can also click here for our preview of Game 2 of the series between Pittsburgh and New York.
[sc:NHLArticles ]Chicago Blackhawks vs. Nashville Predators Betting Preview
Series Scores & Schedule
Game 1 — April 15, Chicago Blackhawks 4 (2OT) at Nashville Predators 3
Game 2 — April 17, 9:30 PM ET, Chicago Blackhawks (-110) at Nashville Predators (-110); total: 5.0 — view all NHL lines
Game 3 — April 19, 3:00 PM ET, Nashville Predators at Chicago Blackhawks
Game 4 — April 21, 9:30 PM ET, Nashville Predators at Chicago Blackhawks
Game 5 — April 23, Time TBD, Chicago Blackhawks at Nashville Predators
Game 6 — April 25, Time TBD, Nashville Predators at Chicago Blackhawks
Game 7 — April 27, Time TBD, Chicago Blackhawks at Nashville Predators
Betting on the Chicago Blackhawks
It took some time for the Blackhawks to heat up in Game 1, but once they found their rhythm, there was little Nashville can do to stop them. Down 0-3 in the first period of the series opener, Chicago made a comeback by scoring three goals in the second period and another in the second overtime to beat the Preds, 4-3.
[sc:NHL240 ]Of course, victory wouldn’t be possible without the heroics of backup goalie Scott Darling. Darling stepped on the ice as a replacement for Corey Crawford, who gave up three goals on just 12 shots in Game 1, and turned away all 42 shots he faced. Darling, however, won’t start in Game 2 despite his brilliance in that game. Instead, Joel Quenneville will give Crawford another stab at it. Chicago is 6-4 in Crawford’s last 10 starts against Nashville.
Crawford aside, Chicago’s blue line needs to improve too as the Blackhawks were dominated on puck possession in Game 1, 54 shots to 42.
Patrick Kane, meanwhile, showed no rust at all in Game 1 after missing seven weeks because of a broken collarbone. Kane didn’t score but made two assists. His ability to make plays would be critical in dissecting Nashville’s vaunted defense that allowed just 28.3 shots per game in the regular season.
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Betting on the Nashville Predators
There’s not much time for Nashville to dwell on its bitter loss in Game 1—or in its losing streak that extended to seven games after losing to Chicago on Wednesday. The Preds can forget all of that if they can tie the series with Chicago on Friday.
Despite a three-goal cushion in the first period, Nashville failed to win Game 1 mostly because of the Preds’ bumbling penalty kill. Nashville’s propensity of giving up power play goals was on full display in that game, as the Preds allowed Chicago to go 2-for-6 on the man advantage. For those keeping count, the Preds have now given up seven power play goals on 20 shorthanded situations over their last six games. The Preds finished 18th in the regular season in penalty kill with an 80.8 percent success rate in stifling opponents’ power plays.
As for their offense, Nashville may miss the services of center Mike Fisher, who left in the second period of Game 1 because of a lower-body injury. If Fisher will not be available for Game 2, expect coach Peter Laviolette to replace him in the second line with Matt Cullen. Cullen did not score a goal in the series opener but has an assist to show.
Nashville also has to reduce its errors, as the Preds repeatedly shot themselves in the foot with 12 giveaways in Game 1.
The over is 5-0 in Nashville’s last five games overall.
Writer’s Prediction
Chicago (-110) wins, 3-2.
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