Nashville Predators vs Chicago Blackhawks Predictions, Picks and Preview – 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Western Conference First Round Game 6 – April 25, 2015
The Nashville Predators came into Game 5 having lost all seven elimination games in franchise history. Six of those were on home ice. The Preds broke that streak with a four-goal third period to force Game 6 at Chicago. Can Nashville stay alive? Or will the Blackhawks deliver a devastating blow at home? Read on for everything you need to know heading into this high-stakes showdown.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs is a roller coaster of emotions. Catch more of the exciting games with our complete previews for the Wild vs. Blues and Penguins vs. Rangers.
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Nashville Predators vs. Chicago Blackhawks Preview
Series Scores & Schedule
Game 1 — April 15, 8:30 PM ET, Chicago Blackhawks 4, Nashville Predators 3 (OT)
Game 2 — April 17, 9:30 PM ET, Chicago Blackhawks 2, Nashville Predators 6
Game 3 — April 19, 3 PM ET, Nashville Predators 2, Chicago Blackhawks 4
Game 4 — April 21, 9:30 PM ET, Nashville Predators 2, Chicago Blackhawks 3 (3OT)
Game 5 — April 23, 9:30 PM ET, Chicago Blackhawks 2, Nashville Predators 5
Game 6 — April 25, Time TBD, Nashville Predators at Chicago Blackhawks – view all NHL lines
Game 7* — April 27, Time TBD, Chicago Blackhawks at Nashville Predators
*If necessary
Betting on the Nashville Predators
Filip Forsberg had his first career hat-trick (and the first in the franchise’s postseason history) in the Nashville Predators’ 5-2 win on Thursday night to force Game 6.
[sc:NHL240 ]But Game 5 was as tight as it could get before the decisive third period. Nashville and Chicago were tied 1-1 heading into the third. James Neal then scored the go-ahead goal in the opening minute of the third to start the Preds’ scoring party. Colin Wilson also scored and Forsberg netted two of his goals (one on an empty net) in the period.
Getting the Swedish winger on the board is Nashville’s key to avoid elimination for the second straight game. Forsberg has five points in the Preds’ two wins and none in the three losses.
Nashville has enough depth to give Forsberg wide open shots on goal. Wilson leads the team with five goals, Craig Smith has five points (two goals and three assists) and veteran center Mike Ribeiro has been an excellent playmaker with three assists. The three combined for four points over Games 3 and 4 at Chicago.
The Preds need to get on the board early and often at United Center to ease off the pressure from netminder Pekka Rinne. The Nashville goalie is winless in three starts at Chicago (two in the postseason), allowing a total of 13 goals.
The total has gone over in four of the five games in the series.
Betting on the Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks blew their chance of closing this series out early. But they get a home game against Nashville for Game 6 as consolation. Dating back to the regular season, Chicago has won four straight against the Predators at United Center.
Brad Richards and Kris Versteeg scored for Chicago in Thursday night’s Game 6 loss, their first points in the series. But Marian Hossa and Brent Seabrook could be the keys to sealing the series at home. Hossa has assisted in three of the Blackhawks’ seven goals in their two home games in this series. Seabrook netted the overtime game-winner in Game 4 and put the final nail in the coffin in a 4-2 win in Game 3.
Chicago’s stars also aren’t to be ignored. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are game-changers in the Blackhawks’ frontline. They each have team-leading five points in the series. Toews scored the go-ahead goal in the second period of Game 3’s home win. Kane fed Seabrook for the winner in Game 4.
Goalie Scott Darling may have allowed four goals in Game 5, but he’s been pretty comfortable playing the two games at home in the series. He has a .955 save percentage across those games, allowing just two goals in both instances.
The Blackhawks have won their last five Game 6s.
Writer’s Prediction
Nashville opens the floodgate for a high-scoring hockey game. But Chicago nets the winner in a 4-3 overtime win. The Blackhawks advance to the next round. Create a betting account now and earn a quick buck on the big games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
