Nashville, TN (Sports Network) - Patrick Sharp and Jonathan Toews each posted a goal and two assists as the Chicago Blackhawks moved into the semifinals after eliminating Nashville with a 5-3 win in Game 6 of a Western Conference quarterfinal series.
Blackhawks 5, Predators 3: Chicago Rides Four-Goal First Period To Series Clinching Win
Duncan Keith had a goal and an assist while Patrick Kane and John Madden each added a goal for the Blackhawks, who won three straight after facing a 2-1 deficit in the series.
Antti Niemi made 25 saves for Chicago, which will face Vancouver for the second straight year in the conference semifinals. Last season, the Blackhawks topped the Canucks in six games.
Jason Arnott had two goals and Shea Weber added a goal and an assist for the Predators, who are now 0-5 in elimination games and have never advanced past the first round in five tries (2004, 2006-07, 2008, 2010)
Pekka Rinne stopped 27-of-31 shots in the loss for Nashville, which was coming off an odd Game 5 overtime loss in Chicago which saw the 'Hawks tie the game in the final seconds of regulation while shorthanded, then win in OT when Marian Hossa -- who was given a boarding major late in the third period -- tallied the winner.
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