Post by jenny123 on Oct 18, 2013 0:51:05 GMT -5
CHICAGO -- It is no surprise the Chicago Blackhawks are in the playoffs for the fifth straight year. After all, the NHL leaders started the lockout-shortened season with points in their first 24 games -- a league record. But the Blackhawks made a strong statement Sunday in becoming the first team this season to clinch post-season berth, as they used a third-period rally to beat the Nashville Predators 5-3. Rookie Brandon Saad and Jonathan Toews scored 55 seconds apart midway through the third. Chicago (29-5-4) had fallen behind 3-2 early in the period on a goal by Nashvilles David Legwand, but Saad and Toews connected against Pekka Rinne to put the Blackhawks back ahead. The Blackhawks defeated the Predators for the second time in two days and improved to 13-0-1 against Central Division teams. "We obviously wanted to stay in the spot were in in the standings," Toews said, "but first and foremost, our No. 1 goal coming in every season is we want to make the playoffs. "To beat a team like Nashville twice in a row, first on the road and then at home, is a great thing. We did a lot of good things in that game, but most of all, we didnt stop working. We found a way to win in the third." Patrick Kane, who set up Toews eventual game winner, added an empty-net goal with 32 seconds left to complete the scoring. Andrew Shaw and Bryan Bickell also scored for Chicago. Kanes hustling assist on Toews goal at 10:32 of the third might have been the pivotal mark on the score sheet. Kane outraced two Predators to a loose puck on the back boards, then centred to Toews, who connected on a low shot from the right circle. "That should be the headline, because you dont see that too often. Im just kidding," Toews said. "It was a great play by him. "I came flying off the bench and he saw me in the slot. My first thought was to try and find Saad backdoor because I could see him kind of going to the net there, but I went against that instinct and shot the puck." Shea Weber and Nick Spaling each had a goal and an assist for the Predators (15-17-8), who are 13th in the Western Conference with 38 points, five behind eighth-place Detroit at the post-season cutoff. "It was competitive," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. "They (Nashville) played both these games as they had to win. Yesterday we were maybe a little bit more efficient than we were today, but we were sticking with it." Nashville played with desperation after a sluggish first period, but the Predators were done in by mistakes -- and a talented Chicago team. "We got beat to the puck on the one (Toews) goal," Nashville coach Barry Trotz said. "It was just individual stuff. "Thats on our D. Our D has got to have that puck." Chicagos Ray Emery stopped 19 shots, following a 20-save, 1-0 win at Nashville on Saturday. The Blackhawks improved to 4-0 against the Predators this season. Rinne, who leads the NHL in games and minutes played, made 35 saves as he appeared in his 29th straight contest. The Predators have made the playoffs the past three seasons and in seven of eight, but that run is in jeopardy "Weve just got to play hard and see what happens," Trotz said. "The chances are remote, but youve got to play hard. Youre not going to do anybody any favours if you dont." Both teams skated without key forwards. Nashville left wing Gabriel Bourque, who is tied with Legwand for the team lead with 11 goals, missed his fourth game because of an upper body injury. Mike Fisher, third on the Predators with 19 points, sat out after aggravating a hand injury that caused him to miss three games last week. Patrick Sharp, who led the Blackhawks with 33 goals last season, missed his 14th game with a shoulder injury. Dave Bolland sat out his second because of a lower body injury, believed to have been caused when a shot by Weber struck him last Monday. The Blackhawks killed the only penalty against them on Sunday and have snuffed 17 straight chances. Chicago hasnt allowed a power-play goal in 10 games, dating to March 18. The Blackhawks entered the game as the third-least penalized team in the NHL, training the New York Islanders and Rangers. Shaw opened the scoring 6:34 in on a tip-in. Michael Frolik jumped on a rebound that Rinne had deflected to the left boards, then turned and fired on goal in one motion. Shaw deflected the puck over Rinnes shoulder. The Blackhawks dominated the first period, outshooting the Predators 17-7. But a turnover by defenceman Johnny Oduya in the slot set off a scramble that led to Spalings goal that made it 1-1 with 2:44 left. Sergei Kostitsyn grabbed the loose puck and shot from a sharp angle to the right of the net. Emery stopped that attempt, but Spaling fired in the rebound before Emery could recover. Bickell, who scored Chicagos only goal on Saturday, put the Blackhawks back in front 2-1 at 2:09 of the second. Weber tied it at 2 just over three minutes later, when he fired from the top of the right circle directly from a faceoff win by Spaling. Legwand scored on a rebound to put Nashville ahead 3-2 at 6:54 of the third to cap a scrum around the Chicago net. Saad tied it at 3 at 9:37 from 10 feet. After fanning on a first shot attempt, defenceman Duncan Keith swept in and fired a shot that Rinne blocked. Saad converted the rebound. Toews put Chicago ahead 4-3 at 10:32. Kanes goal with 32 seconds left completed the scoring. NOTES: Before the game, Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said that Sharp could return this week. When asked about Bollands condition, he said, "We dont think its serious." ... Nashville C Paul Gaustad missed a second game with an upper body injury. ... Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin, who played for the Blackhawks and worked in their front office, attended the game. Elite Seahawks Jersey . Footes familiar No. 52 jersey will be raised to the Pepsi Center rafters at a date still to be determined, where it will join those of Joe Sakic (19), Peter Forsberg (21), Patrick Roy (33) and Ray Bourque (77). 12th Fan Jersey For Sale . Rodney Stuckey scored 25 points and Greg Monroe added 18 points for the Pistons, who have not beaten Chicago since Dec. 23, 2008. The Bulls rallied from a 13-point deficit to tie the score 78-all with 9:27 remaining on Butlers dunk after a steal. www.seahawkssportsgear.com/Seahawks-Cortez-Kennedy-Nike-Jersey-Ii-54.html . The result was similar to what he gave Philadelphia in his 14 years in charge of the Eagles. Cortez Kennedy Jersey . -- Clemsons determination to overcome fatigue was no match for West Virginias fresh legs. Seahawks T-shirts . Hamilton tallied twice in the second period, including the game-winner on a penalty shot, and MacIntyre stopped 27 of 28 shots to lead the Marlies to a 2-1 victory over the visiting Rochester Americans in American Hockey League action on Wednesday.Stephen Weiss may have played his final game with the Florida Panthers, with the team revealing on Tuesday that the veteran forward is expected to have season-ending wrist surgery. Weiss will have the surgery next week, said Panthers general manager Dale Tallon. "Not good news," Tallon said in Sunrise, Fla., after the Panthers completed a game-day morning skate. Florida was preparing to host Winnipeg at home later Tuesday night. By any measure, the Panthers are losing both games and players at an alarming rate. Tallon began his remarks on Tuesday by updating the status of several injured players -- goaltender Jose Theodore, who is expected to miss up to six weeks with a leg injury among them. Then he paused and broke the news about Weiss. "This is the kicker," Tallon said. Weiss will be a free agent after the season, meaning his 11-year run with Florida could be over. Weiss had only one goal and three assists in 17 games this season, clearly labouring at times. "We saw a different player in the past," Panthers coach Kevin Dineen said. "It obviously affected his game. Its a loss for us." The Panthers entered play Tuesday with the second-fewest points in the NHL standings, not at all what the reigning Southeast Division champions were hoping for entering the season. Through the seasons first 22 games, the Panthers had been outscored by 27 goals, by far the worst goal-differential in the league. Still, both Tallon and Dineen refused to give up on the season. "You cant worry about the uncontrollables," Dineen said. "Until guys are back, well move forward. ... The players we have here understand what our situation is now. I think theyre the right guys to find that step to get us in the right direction." And as the Panthers try to take that step, a young goaltender will be the go-to guy. With Theodore out, Tallon said the Panthers will use Jacob Markstrom in the No. 1 role in the net. Markstrom, whho entered Tuesday with eight career starts in the Panthers goal, has long been considered Floridas goalie of the future.dddddddddddd Apparently, the future has arrived. "Ive got a lot of confidence in the young man," Tallon said. "We were hoping to hold off a little bit, but lets go, lets see if he can do it. And I believe he can." Also hurting for Florida these days, besides Theodore and Weiss: Defencemen Dmitry Kulikov (upper-body) and Mike Weaver (lower-body) are expected to miss 3-4 weeks; Scottie Upshall and Ed Jovanovski could be out for up to 10 more days each, and forward Kris Versteeg may return to the lineup as early as Friday. In addition to all those woes, Florida still does not have a final decision on the Alex Kovalev situation. Kovalev has been away from the team for several days, with the team saying he is weighing his options. Still, it would seem that Kovalevs days with the Panthers are likely over. "Its ongoing discussions," Tallon said. "Well have some finality to it, hopefully this week." Also Tuesday, the Panthers recalled right wing Jon Rheault from their AHL affiliate in San Antonio. Rheault had 37 points in 50 games in the minors this season, and was set to make his NHL debut Tuesday night. The Panthers entered Tuesday with just two wins in their last 12 games -- and in this lockout-shortened 48-game season, a slump like that will be particularly tough to overcome. The injuries only add to the challenge. "But thats part of hockey, part of this condensed season," Tallon said. "Everybody goes through it and its an opportunity for others to show their worth. ... Well find a way to get through this. Its all you can do. "We still have a chance. Kevin and his staff are going to find a way, the players are going to find a way and Im going to find a way to compete for a playoff spot. Regardless of what the situation is, weve got to deal with it." ' ' '