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Chicago Blackhawks 1st Round Loss To The Preds: The Perfect Storm

ByGail Kauchak|
Apr 17, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) makes a save as Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) is knocked down by defenseman P.K. Subban (76) during the third period in game three of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators won in overtime 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) makes a save as Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) is knocked down by defenseman P.K. Subban (76) during the third period in game three of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators won in overtime 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
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Apr 17, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators left wing Kevin Fiala (56) celebrates with center Calle Jarnkrok (19) after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime of game three of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators won in overtime 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators left wing Kevin Fiala (56) celebrates with center Calle Jarnkrok (19) after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime of game three of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators won in overtime 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Surging Preds. 

Now that we’ve discussed the weaknesses of the Chicago Blackhawks, it’s time to give credit to the Nashville Predators.  This is a team that wanted it more.  They were motivated by the fact that they were eliminated from the playoffs by Chicago twice already.  Unlike the Hawks, they had to claw their way into the playoffs, so they didn’t take it for granted.

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This is a team, by the way, that is coming together at just the right time.  The Preds are playing excellent hockey, and led by their dynamic first line of Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, and Viktor Arvidsson.  Goaltender Pekka Rinne is completely focused and on his game.  The entire team is playing hard; they are playing as a cohesive unit, and a team that wants to win at all costs.  It will be interesting to see how far they can take it.

Finally, I’d like to touch base on the argument that the Chicago Blackhawks didn’t have the compete level they needed for this series.  Yeah, well, they might have taken the Preds a little too lightly.  But once the wheels fell off in practically every conceivable way, they were simply too stunned to react.  It was a perfect storm of events that finally caught up to them, and they knew they had no answer.  I think they knew it long before the rest of us did.

Next: Blackhawks and Seabrook Should Part Ways

I wouldn’t question this team going forward.  This defeat isn’t going to go quietly into the night.  The Hawks will regroup; and they will be hungry.  Which is why next season is going to be so darn fun!   Keep on tuning in to Blackhawk Up, my friends!  We have all kinds of things to talk about while we wait for October!

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