The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs continue tonight when the Nashville Predators take on the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 2 of their Western Conference first round matchup. The game is scheduled for an 9:30 p.m. start time and it will be televised live on the NBC Sports Network. Currently the betting odds for the game have the Predators favored to get the win in this second matchup.
Nashville started Game 1 by scoring the first three goals of the contest, the arena was rocking and the Predators went into cruise mode. The allure of beating the Blackhawks to open the post season was certainly there for Nashville, but the Blackhawks found a way to battle back, just one goal at a time, to force overtime before a Duncan Keith goal in the second OT ended the comeback.
Now, Chicago has a decision to make. Corey Crawford was their best goalie all season but he was brutal in the opening period of the first game. Scott Darling then lived up to his last night for the Blackhawks, helping coast Chicago back from a tough spot to a win. Darling faced 42 shots and stopped everyone one of them. Crawford, though, will start the game tonight as the Blackhawks believe in him and have no problem backing him in this contest.
The Predators had 38 saves from Pekka Rinne in the loss, but he played well at times as the Blackhawks continued to come at the Nashville goalie in waves. Nashville will have to bring that same type of offense in this one tonight. Colin Wilson scored twice in the first period of Game 1, but after that the Preds just couldn't find the back of the net.
Nashville is absolutely in must-win mode tonight. If they drop two games to start the series against Chicago, this is all but over.
Free Pick: Nashville
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