Topping the double-overtime thriller that was Game 1 would have been a hard task to accomplish. Game 2 of Predators-Blackhawks seemed destined to be come another classic through two periods, but the Preds poured on goals late for a 6-2 win.
Blackhawks vs. Predators Game 2 final score: Nashville routs Chicago, 6-2
A back-and-forth affair ended in the Preds’ favor.
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
The Predators struck first when Colin Wilson slipped a wrister past Corey Crawford just minutes into the game. But unlike Game 1, Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford managed to stem the tide before the floodgates opened. He played solidly the rest of the period, allowing his team to tie the game late in the frame.
Nashville regained the lead shortly after when defenseman Roman Josi scored a fantastic goal with four seconds left in the period to make it a 2-1 game. Nashville's momentum was sustained until later in the second period, when an unlucky missed call resulted in Patrick Kane tying the game yet again.
Even after Craig Smith scored in the late stages of the second to give Nashville a 3-2 lead, one had to wonder if Game 2 was also destined for overtime. Instead, the Predators were able to hold Chicago off and add a few more tallies at the end of the third period. Crawford and the Blackhawks' defense collapsed down the stretch, allowing three unanswered goals in the final six minutes to finish a bad Game 2 loss.
The series now shifts to Chicago with the series tied at 1-1.
3 Things We Learned
1. Patrick Kane is back.
The Predators made a point early and often to get physical with Kane, continually trying to lay hits on his rehabbed shoulder all night. And yet, Kane was still able to do the things he does best: Find space and score. His second period goal was vintage Kane, backing off the defenders with speed before firing a wrister past Pekka Rinne.
2. Referees make mistakes in the playoffs too.
Of course, Kane had a little help on his goal. Nashville coach Peter Laviolette was understandably furious after the Hawks scored with six men on the ice. Six! How the referees miss that at center ice is beyond me, but the missed call and resulting goal changed the tide of the game.
moments before Kane goal pic.twitter.com/rE5PWwtliR
— Stephanie Vail (@myregularface) April 18, 2015 3. Shea Weber’s injury could loom large.
The Nashville captain left the game with a lower-body injury in the second period and didn’t return. Shortly after, his team scored to take the lead. But no matter the result, losing Weber is a monumental loss for the Predators. If he misses a full game or more, the Predators could have a hard time gaining a series lead as the games move to Chicago.
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