The Chicago Blackhawks built an early lead, then held on to beat the Minnesota Wild 4-3 in Game 1 of their second round NHL playoff series on Friday night at United Center in Chicago.
Wild vs. Blackhawks 2015 final score: Chicago blows early lead, but takes Game 1, 4-3
Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Teuvo Teravainen, who scored all of four goals in 34 games during the regular season, scored the game-winner at 19:01 of the second-period, the first career playoff goal for the 20-year-old.
Game 1 looked like a blowout in the opening period with goals by Brandon Saad, Patrick Kane and Marcus Kruger giving the Blackhawks a 3-0 lead. The Wild battled back to tie the game with three second-period goals — by Jason Zucker, Zach Parise and Mikawl Granlund — but the result was disturbingly familiar for Minnesota.
Chicago has eliminated Minnesota in each of the last two postseasons, beating them 4-1 in the first round in 2013 and 4-2 in the second round in 2014. The common denominator in these three straight playoff matchups is home ice advantage for the Blackhawks, who are now 7-0 at home against the Wild in the last three postseasons.
Neither netminder was particularly effective, but Corey Crawford saved 30 of 33 shots in the win.
Game 2 is Sunday night at 8:30 p.m. ET at United Center in Chicago, and will be televised by NBCSN.
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