Chicago Blackhawks vs. Nashville Predators Preview, Scores and Results

The Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators are set to face off in the first round of the NHL Playoffs on Wednesday and neither team are strangers to the postseason. Chicago has won two Stanley Cup Championships in the last five years, while the Predators have qualified for the postseason four times in the last six years. Both teams looked as if they could be the team to beat during the regular season. Chicago went on a 16-3-1 tear in November and December while Nashville once held a six-point lead ahead of the next best team. Both teams have also looked below average for stretches of the season, which makes this match up even more interesting.

Sports Interaction’s NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Odds

Chicago Blackhawks:
The Blackhawks will get their star forward Patrick Kane back after he broke his collarbone earlier in the season, but his effectiveness will be a big question mark. In Kane’s absence, the Hawks have had issues scoring goals so any boost that Kane can offer will be an improvement. The defense has been one of Chicago’s strengths late in the regular season, making up for the lack of offence. Goalie Corey Crawford is inconsistent in net, showing streaks of greatness followed by mediocre stretches. If the Blackhawks can get their tandem of Toews and Kane scoring again and the defense can continue to play well, Chicago could have the edge to advance.

Nashville Predators:
The Predators have not played well heading into the playoffs. Without a superstar on the front line, Nashville’s forwards will need to continue the shared scoring duties. Nashville was one of the best possession teams in the NHL this season, which accounts for the Preds having their best goal production in four seasons. Their ability to control the puck has helped Nashville’s bruising defense take over games while goalie Pekka Rinne has had one of his best regular seasons in net. The Predators will need to find a way to score enough without having a true first line on offense if they want to survive the series. The defense will also have to keep Chicago’s star powered offense in check if they hope to see Round 2.

Prediction:
As much as the Predators are due a long playoff run, they are essentially limping into this first round, and against a Kane-ified Blackhawks, they will be in tough against Chicago. Unless Crawford has a complete meltdown or Kane isn’t actually ready to play, the -165 favored Blackhawks should come out strong and may even eliminate the Predators in as few as five games.

Pick: Blackhawks in six games.