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Blackhawks shoot for 2-0 lead in Nashville

Apr 17, 2015 - 2:50 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Nashville Predators got the start they wanted in Game 1 of their playoff series against Chicago, but enter Friday's second meeting down a game after a memorable comeback by the Blackhawks.

The Predators attempt to put a 4-3 double-overtime loss in the opener of this best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal series behind them tonight, as they hope to bounce back before falling into an 0-2 hole at Bridgestone Arena.

Nashville came out flying on Wednesday and grabbed a 3-0 lead while outshooting Chicago 12-6 in the first period. Colin Wilson opened the scoring at the 6:07 mark and added his second marker, a power-play tally with 27 seconds left in the opening period to stake the home team to a three-goal cushion.

Viktor Stalberg also scored in between Wilson's goals, but the Preds wouldn't hit the net again after their strong first period.

Chicago pulled goaltender Corey Crawford after a rough opening period and the team responded to the move, getting all three goals back by the end of 40 minutes. The game would remain tied at 3-3 until Duncan Keith scored the winner on a shot from the point at 7:49 of the second overtime period.

Keith's tally was Chicago's 42nd shot of the contest and 15th beyond regulation, and wouldn't have occurred if not for the heroics of Scott Darling.

Inserted after starter Crawford allowed three goals on 12 shots in the first period, Darling withstood a 42-shot barrage and failed to crack during his NHL playoff debut, making 17 saves in the first extra session and following up with six more stops until Keith ended the contest.

Darling became the first rookie Blackhawks netminder to win his playoff bow since Ed Belfour against Minnesota on Apr. 6, 1990, a 5-3 victory.

"This is just another thing that I never would have told you would have happened. But it did," said Darling, who spent last year in the ECHL and began this season with Rockford of the AHL.

Despite the terrific relief performance, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville announced Thursday that Crawford would be back as the starter for Game 2.

"He's been our strength all year long," Quenneville said of the decision to go back to Crawford. "Look forward to him getting back in the net (Friday)."

Crawford backstopped the Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup title in the spring of 2013 and this season posted a record of 32-20-5 with a 2.27 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage in 57 starts.

Niklas Hjalmarsson, Patrick Sharp and Jonathan Toews each recorded a goal in the second-period onslaught for the Blackhawks. Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane each contributed two assists in the victory. Kane returned to action for first time since Feb. 24 due to a broken collarbone

Nashville's Pekka Rinne yielded three scores on 11 shots in the second period to let Chicago back in the contest, but finished with 38 saves in defeat. The goalie didn't get a good look at Keith's OT winner, as Toews was engaged with Preds defenseman Anton Volchenkov in front of the net to provide a screen.

Head coach Peter Laviolette, who led Carolina to a Stanley Cup title in 2006, was making his Predators playoff debut. Laviolette is only the second bench boss in franchise history after taking over for Barry Trotz following last season.

"I thought our guys played hard tonight. There's a stretch in the second period there where we lost our way," Laviolette said. "I think we did a good job of getting back on the train that we needed to be on in order to be successful."

Nashville's Mike Fisher left with a lower-body injury in the second period and the centerman is questionable for Game 2. If Fisher is unable to go on Friday he will be replaced in the lineup by either Mike Santorelli or Kevin Fiala.

Preds defenseman Cody Franson sat out the opener with an upper-body injury and is considered day-to-day. Volchenkov replaced Franson for Game 1.

The Blackhawks went 3-1-0 versus the Predators this season, winning twice beyond regulation, but Wednesday's game was the first encounter between the clubs since Dec. 29.

Chicago and Nashville have met once previously in the postseason, a 2010 conference quarterfinal series that Chicago won in six games. The 'Hawks won the Stanley Cup that season, beating the Laviolette-coached Philadelphia Flyers in the Finals.

Game 3 of this series is scheduled for Sunday at Chicago's United Center.