Predators rout Blackhawks in Game 2 to tie playoff series

NASHVILLE – The Nashville Predators lost their captain to an undisclosed second period injury. They gave up a goal when referees didn't spot the Chicago Blackhawks having seven players on the ice. An accidental high stick forced the Predators to play four minutes shorthanded at a key time in the game.

The Predators faced enough adversity to fall out of their playoff series Friday. Instead, the Predators managed to climb back into the series with a 6-2 win against the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals

"That's part of the character and strength of our group is being able to not completely lose our cool in months like that," Nashville defenseman Cody Franson said.

Nashville defenseman Shea Weber limped to the dressing room after being hit by Chicago's Brandon Saad at 9:12 of the second period. He didn't return, and the Predators offered no update after the game.

The Predators were already playing without No. 2 center Mike Fisher.

Shortly after Weber left, the Blackhawks tied the game 2-2 on a Patrick Kane breakaway goal that should have been waved off because the Blackhawks had seven players on the ice.

"It was tough losing a guy like Shea who is so important to our team," Predators defenseman Seth Jones said. "We had to come together then."

The Predators responded to the loss of Weber by getting a go-ahead goal by Craig Smith at 14:54 of the second period. They put the game away with three insurance goals in a span of 2:19 in the final stages of third period. Smith also had one of those.

"I felt we played as close to 60 minutes as we have probably played in a little while," Franson said.

Owning 58 playoff wins since 2010, the Blackhawks are supposed to be the favorite in this series because they have a history of poise and confidence.

"When you win the first one, you get a little greedy," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. "…We got to get better across the board."

But they now return to Chicago for Sunday's Game 3 with the series tied 1-1 and their starting goalie Corey Crawford leaking oil. He has surrendered nine goals in four periods of action.

"He's bounced back (before) and he is going to have some extraordinary performances," Quenneville said.

The Predators were considered the underdogs because they had lost their final six games of the regular-season and seemed out of sync.

Now they go into Chicago with a fair amount of confidence. Craig Smith and Colin Wilson, two players who entered the playoffs in goal-scoring slumps, now have combined for five goals.

"Right now we are playing in some good hockey," Predators coach Peter Laviolette said.

The Predators had a 3-0 lead in Game 1, and then squandered it to fall 4-3 in double-overtime. They lost control of that game by taking penalties and playing poorly in the second period. They took penalties in the second period of Game 2, but killed off the ensuing power plays.

"It could have swung the other way," Laviolette said. "The penalty killers did an excellent job."

The Predators had to grab the lead three times before it stuck.

"The guys we have in here as leaders are second to none," Franson said. "They know exactly what to do in these situations."
The Predators are getting more shots on the Blackhawks than was anticipated. They had 16 in the first 20 minutes.

"Our guys were ready to play," Laviolette said. "It showed in the first 10 minutes of game."