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 Any way you describe it, the Nashville Predators played virtually
the same type of game on Sunday that they did the last time they met
the Chicago Blackhawks, just nine days ago and also at the United
Center.
And fortunately for the Predators and not so much for the
Blackhawks, with the same outcome.
Center Mike Fisher and left winger Gabriel Borque scored goals to
lead the Predators to a 2-0 win over the Blackhawks this time.
"They didn't get those second and third looks that sometimes they
can," Predators coach Barry Trotz said of the Blackhawks. "I thought
really our defense, especially (Shea) Weber, was an absolute monster
out there today. He was worth every penny, watching him. To me, that
was the best performance by a defenseman all year."
While the score was slightly different than the Preds' 3-2 win on
March 14, Nashville's effort, play, determination and the outcome
were all the same.
As a result, Nashville (31-31-10, 72 points) was able to cling to
hope that it still might make the playoffs, even though the
Predators are currently 12th in the Western Conference with 10 games
remaining in the regular season.
Just like he did in the March 14 win, Predators goalie Pekka Rinne
(7-9-1) shined in net, stopping all 29 of Chicago's shots.
"It was a good bounce-back game for (Rinne, who had lost two of his
last three starts)," Trotz said. "You saw tonight exactly what Pekka
Rinne can do for you."
Added Rinne, "We seem to match up against them pretty well. We have
to play defensive-style hockey against them. They have a lot of
individuals who can change the momentum and the game, but that team
always seems to get the best out of us."
As good as the Predators felt after beating the Blackhawks for the
third time in four meetings this season, there was also bad news:
star defenseman Seth Jones left the game at the end of the first
period and did not return.
The team announced that he had suffered an upper-body injury, but
there is no word yet on how severe and if he may potentially miss
any upcoming games.
For whatever reason, the Blackhawks (41-16-15, 97 points) have had
trouble with the Predators this season — probably more trouble than
they should when you consider Nashville is last in the Central
Division and had lost six of its previous 10 games prior to Sunday's
meeting.
Still, the facts are the facts and the final outcome is what it is.
"We want to keep getting those points and we left two on the table
tonight," Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith said. "For whatever
reason, we've had trouble against these guys. I can't pinpoint what
it is."
Sunday's outing was a far cry from the Blackhawks' inspiring
performances in their last two games, a 3-2 win over Carolina on
Friday and a 4-0 shutout of the arch-rival St. Louis Blues last
Wednesday.
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"We had a good start and we had a couple of great looks at the net
(but) missed the net, missed the opportunities there and they scored
first," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. "What happened after
was exactly what happened the other day (against Nashville). They
get the lead and they go into a check-fest and they check well."
Just like the last meeting nine days ago, the Predators jumped out
to a 2-0 lead.
Fisher connected on his 18th goal of the season at 18:38 of the
first period.
Nashville went ahead 2-0 on Chicago at 17:35 on Borque's seventh
goal of the season.
Although Chicago outshot Nashville 20-11 through the first two
periods, Nashville played an inspired game, almost as if it was
still fighting for a playoff spot, a possibility that is dim at
best.
Losing Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (28-13-10) stopped 15 of
Nashville's 17 shots.
NOTES: There has been little word out of Chicago's camp since
Friday's announcement that RW Patrick Kane will be out for at least
the remainder of the regular season. The team is hopeful that Kane,
who was placed on the Long Term Injured list, will be able to return
for the first round of the playoffs, but that's an optimistic view
at best, considering he has a sprained medial collateral ligament in
his left knee and is on crutches. ... Chicago hosts Dallas on
Tuesday before a three-game road trip to Boston (March 27), Ottawa
(March 28) and Pittsburgh (March 30). The Blackhawks return to the
United Center to host the Minnesota Wild on April 3. ... Chicago
still leads the all-time series (45-33-4-8). ... What a difference a
year makes: Even in last year's lockout-shortened season, the
Blackhawks still managed to win all five meetings with the
Predators. ... Chicago came into the game still leading the NHL in
goals per game (3.31) and total goals (235). ... After scoring a
goal and two assists Friday and becoming the sixth draftee in team
history to surpass 200 points in his NHL career, Predators RW
Patrick Hornqvist was given the night off. Other scratches were D
Michael Del Zotto, RW Patrick Eaves and C Paul Gaustad. Chicago
listed five scratches: D David Rundblad, D Michal Rozsival, and LWs
Matt Carey, Bryan Bickell and Teuvo Teravainen. ... Attendance was
21,727.
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