It's playoff time in 2017, as the NHL's quest for the Stanley Cup begins. This series features Central Division rivals, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Nashville Predators.
Game 1: United Center, Chicago, Illinois. In goal: Pekka Rinne for the Predators and Corey Crawford for the Blackhawks. Nashville opened in the first period with a Viktor Arvidsson goal, passed from Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen. This held up all game for a 1-0 win, with the three stars belonging to Rinne (29 save shutout), Arvidsson, and Crawford (19 for 20 in saves). The Predators take a 1-0 series lead early on.
Game 2: United Center, Chicago, Illinois. In goal: Pekka Rinne for the Predators and Corey Crawford for the Blackhawks. Nashville started in the first period with a Ryan Ellis goal, made possible by Ryan Johansen and Roman Josi. The Predators added on in the second period with a Harry Zolnierczyk goal, coming off of Mattias Ekholm and the goalie Rinne. Nashville extended the lead as Colton Sissons scored, thanks to Pontus Aberg and Craig Smith. The Predators padded the lead in the third period on a Johansen goal, via Filip Forsberg and the goalie Rinne. Nashville iced it at 5-0 with a Kevin Fiala power play goal, powered by Johansen and P.K. Subban. The three stars were Rinne (30 save shutout), Johansen, and Ellis. The Predators head home with a 2-0 series lead.
Game 3: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee. In goal: Corey Crawford for the Blackhawks and Pekka Rinne for the Predators. Chicago got going in the second period with a Dennis Rasmussen goal, assisted by Marcus Kruger and Richard Panik. The Blackhawks added on with a Patrick Kane power play goal, powered by Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews. Nashville got on the board in the third period with a Filip Forsberg goal, made possible by Viktor Arvidsson. The Predators tied it on another Forsberg goal, helped along by Ryan Ellis and Ryan Johansen. Nashville won 3-2 in overtime with a Kevin Fiala goal, his second of the playoffs, via James Neal and Calle Jarnkrok. The three stars were Forsberg, Fiala, and Rinne (34 for 36 in saves). The Predators have a 3-0 series lead, pushing the Blackhawks to the brink of elimination.
Game 4: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee. In goal: Corey Crawford for the Blackhawks and Pekka Rinne for the Predators. Nashville dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Roman Josi goal, passed from Ryan Ellis and Ryan Johansen. The Predators added on with a Colton Sissons goal, his second of the postseason, guided in by Viktor Arvidsson and Ellis in the third period. Nashville extended the lead as Josi scored again, thanks to Sissons and Austin Watson. Chicago got on the board with a Jonathan Toews power play goal, powered by Artemi Panarin and Patrick Kane. The Predators iced it at 4-1 with an Arvidsson empty net goal, his second of the playoffs, set up by Filip Forsberg and P.K. Subban. The three stars were awarded to Josi, Sissons, and Rinne (30 for 31 in saves), while Ellis and Arvidsson get the honorable mentions. The Predators won the series in a 4-0 sweep, advancing to the Central Division Finals.
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