The Chicago Blackhawks were trying to tie up their series against the Nashville Predators, and they were unable to do as they lost in Game 2 of the teams' first round series.
The Blackhawks were shutout in consecutive playoff games for the first time since the 2002 playoffs, and they now find themselves down two games as they head to Nashville for Game 3 on Monday night.
For the second game in a row, the Blackhawks got off to a solid start, but the Predators still managed to get the first goal of the game. With Game 1 goal scorer Viktor Arvidsson providing a screen in front, Ryan Ellis hammered home a slapshot from the point to put the Predators ahead 1-0.
After a failed Blackhawks power play and a string of poor offensive possessions, the Blackhawks found themselves trailing by even more. On a tremendous pass up the ice, Harry Zolnierczyk caught the puck in stride, fought off Johnny Oduya, and scored on a breakaway to extend the Nashville lead to 2-0.
Late in the second period, the Blackhawks' push to get back into the game was once again dealt a big blow as the Predators scored again. This time it was Colton Sissons doing the honors, picking up a loose puck from in front, beating Trevor van Riemsdyk up the ice, and firing it past Crawford to make it a 3-0 game.
The third period saw more of the same from the Blackhawks, as they conceded two more goals. Ryan Johansen picked up a goal with about six minutes left, and the Predators would add one more in the closing minutes to notch a 5-0 victory and grab a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Licking their wounds, the Blackhawks will head to Nashville for Game 3 of the series on Monday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:30 p.m., and the game will air locally on Comcast Sportsnet.
