Kane Ties It, Hossa Wins It: Hawks Beat Preds, 5-4 In OT, Take 3-2 Series Lead

The story of the series was magnified in game five, according to On The Forecheck. Nashville’s inability to cash in on their numerous power player chances cost them the game:

The Nashville Predators had no business competing in Game Five in Chicago, none. After two periods they were outshot 24-8, and headed into the 3rd period down 3-2. They took the lead midway through the 3rd, and then their power play failed them horribly.

Pekka Rinne probably should’ve had this one, but bodies in front likely did him in. Several players were positioned in front of the Nashville goaltender, limiting his view of the puck. It came back to the point, where defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson threw it on net. Rinne never saw it, and Chicago has the 2-1 lead.

Meanwhile, as play begins again, the puck is lost in Antti Niemi’s pads. The officials cannot seem to find it anywhere and it’s not in the net. Eventually, it found it’s way out of Niemi’s equipment.

A few short minutes after Nashville took a 1-0 lead, the Blackhawks got the goal right back. The Predators stumbled around a bit in their defensive end, allowing Chicago to pick up a rebound in front of the net.

The puck came off of Pekka Rinne and it was found by Andrew Ladd, who quickly deposited it into the back of the net to tie Game 5 at 1-1. Chicago is outshooting Nashville 6-3 with 7 minutes remaining in the first period.

This best-of-seven series is tied at two games apiece, with the teams alternating victories since Nashville opened the set with a victory in Chicago. Game 6 is scheduled for Monday evening in Nashville, while, if necessary, the seventh and decisive game will be held Wednesday in the Windy City.

“Tonight we kept plays alive and kept working just because we had support, and we didn’t get lazy out there,” Toews said. “We have to keep working that way.”