2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Series Review: (C1) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (W2) Nashville Predators

The star of the first two games of the series was Pekka Rinne. The Nashville goaltender escaped Chicago stopping all 59 shots he faced. On the offensive end, only Viktor Arvidsson managed to get a goal in the first game. The second game saw five different Predators find the back of the net. Rinne's shutout streak would end in the second period of Game 3, as Dennis Rasmussen scored 1:05 into the middle frame to put Chicago on the board for the first time in the series. Patrick Kane added on ten minutes later to make it 2-0 Blackhawks. The home team kept up their attack though, and would try the game thanks to Filip Forsberg's two-goal effort in the third. Kevin Fiala ended the game 16 minutes into the extra frame, beating Corey Crawford with a backhander. Nashville kept up the attack in Game 4, with Roman Josi opening the scoring midway through the second. Colton Sissons added to the lead in the third when his shot managed to get caught in Crawford's blocker, got loose, and trickled into the net in a contender for weirdest goal of the playoffs. Josi added another moments later. Jonathan Toews got one late for Chicago, but that's all they could muster. An empty net goal by the Predators sealed it. The Nashville Predators pull off an unlikely sweep of the Chicago Blackhawks to move on to the second round.

Games

Nashville Predators 1 - Chicago Blackhawks 0
Nashville Predators 5 - Chicago Blackhawks 0
Chicago Blackhawks 2 - Nashville Predators 3 (OT)
Chicago Blackhawks 1 - Nashville Predators 4

Three Thoughts on the Series

1. Out of all the series, this was probably the only one I couldn't see a sweep happening...but it did.
2. Credit to Pekka Rinne, who got the shutout in the first two game and only let in three goals all series.
3. I guess Subban's lack of character hindered the Predators so much they needed four games to make it to the next round (No, you're still bitter about that trade)

Picture of the Series

Pekka Rinne gets back in time to stop a clearing attempt from going into an empty net.

Highlight of the Series

Crawford own goal. Man, that is brutal, just falls out of the blocker and into the net.