A rookie with a chip on his shoulder helped the Nashville Predators stave off elimination in Game 5 with an important 5-2 win against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Blackhawks vs. Predators Game 5 results: 3 things we learned from Nashville’s 5-2 win
Filip Forsberg silenced his doubters and saved his team.
Frederick Breedon/Getty Images
Much like the New York Islanders a few hours before them, the game started well for Chicago before completely getting out of hand. Brad Richards got the Blackhawks on the board first with his 34th career playoff goal at 13.27.
As they have all series, the Predators answered almost immediately. Filip Forsberg, who was snubbed for a Calder Trophy nomination, found a breakaway and converted the chance into a goal to tie the game at 1-1 just a minute after Richards' goal.
The score would remain knotted until 47 seconds into the third period, when James Neal scored on a quick wraparound goal. Just under two minutes later, Mike Ribeiro found Colin Wilson for a pretty power play goal to extend the lead further. Just 12 seconds after that goal, Forsberg scored his second of the night and fourth of the playoffs to make it a 4-1 game.
Forsberg then capped off his strong statement game with an empty-netter for the hat trick and a huge 5-2 win.
3 Things We Learned
1. Darling (and Chicago’s defense) finally cracked.
Scott Darling has done well to make everyone forget just how leaky the Blackhawks were in the first two games of the series. Those demons came back in force in Game 5. A close game heading into the third period quickly got out of hand for the Blackhawks, who gave up three unanswered goals in the final frame.
2. Filip Forsberg made up for his snub.
Surprisingly, the Predators rookie was not named a Calder Trophy finalist despite leading the team in scoring with 26 goals. Forsberg made a point to prove his doubters wrong, scoring a hat trick in Nashville’s win. They were his first goals since Game 2. If he’s getting hot, the Blackhawks are in trouble.
3. Chicago still can’t figure out their power play.
For as many skilled forwards the Blackhawks have in their lineup, you’d think they’d boast a formidable power play. Instead, Chicago has continually struggled this series to score on the man advantage. They entered Game 5 with the 11th best power play in the playoffs, and proceeded to go 0-for-2 as the game progressed.
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