2015 NHL playoffs: Predators vs. Blackhawks first round series preview
Regular season series recaps
October 18:Blackhawks 2, Predators 1
October 23:Predators 3, Blackhawks 2
December 6:Blackhawks 3, Predators 1
December 29:Blackhawks 5, Predators 4
Notable injuries
Predators: Cody Franson (upper body, day-to-day), Eric Nystrom (lower body, indefinite)
Blackhawks:Patrick Kane (upper body, day-to-day)
Keys to a Predators victory
Predators double down with gamble on center Mike Ribeiro
Nashville’s blue line is a weapon, but that weapon is a double-edged sword. All six players on what’s widely seen as the deepest and most talented defense corps in hockey could aptly be called offensive defensemen. That’s why the Predators’ system under coach Peter Laviolette emphasizes offensive zone pinching and defensemen joining the rush. Some of the gains of this new system, however, have been given back in the defensive zone, where Nashville’s efficiency in converting defensive zone starts to zone exits has failed to return to Ryan Suter-era levels. The Blackhawks, especially if they have Patrick Kane back, can possess the puck in the offensive zone. The Preds will need to avoid exhaustingly long shifts on defense and costly turnovers.
Keys to a Blackhawks victory
2015 NHL Playoffs Power Rankings
Chicago has talent up front that Nashville can’t match. The Predators will do their best to shelter their top line with
Paul Gaustad
taking certain key draws, but inevitably
Mike Ribeiro
will see a lot of ice time against
, who should be able to grinding down the less gritty Nasville center. If
and Toews can dictate play, the Blackhawks’ superior scoring depth can outgun the Predators. Nashville netminder
’s regular season ended poorly, and Chicago must challenge him early and often.
The Pick
For all the talk of the Predators’ new style under Peter Laviolette—and Chicago’s impending salary-cap doom—these rivals will play to type, with Nashville not scoring enough to counter the Blackhawks’ skill players. Both teams limped into the playoffs, but only Chicago is getting a much-needed shot in the arm in the form of Patrick Kane’s reported return. The presumptive goaltending advantage for the Preds will be revealed as slight when Corey Crawford matches Pekka Rinne save-for-save. Blackhawks in seven.
• Complete playoff schedule and bracket
GAME 1 | Blackhawks 4, Predators 3 (2OT) | Recap | ||
GAME 2 | Predators 6, Blackhawks 2 | |||
GAME 3 | Blackhawks 4, Predators 2 | |||
GAME 4 | Blackhawks 3, Predators 2 (3OT) | |||
GAME 5 | Predators 5, Blackhawks 2 | |||
GAME 6 | Blackhawks 4, Predators 3 |