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Predators score early, often in win over Blackhawks

Nov 5, 2007 - 4:02 AM By Rory Spears PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

CHICAGO (Ticker) - When the Nashville Predators start out fast, they usually finish strong.

The Predators scored three first-period goals en route to a 5-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday.

David Legwand, Alexander Radulov and Martin Erat all registered goals in the opening period for Nashville, which won its third straight road game and improved to 6-0 on the season when it scores first.

"We knew Chicago played last night, so we wanted to jump (on) them early," Legwand said. "We are a much better team when we play with the lead."

After scoring just 26 goals in 11 October games, the Predators have already tallied 12 through three contests in November.

"At the beginning of the year, we weren't scoring at all," Nashville coach Barry Trotz said. "So getting off to a good first period start like that was big for us."

Legwand opened the scoring with his sixth goal of the season just 83 seconds in when he deked Blackhawks netminder Nikolai Khabibulin after Radulov fanned on a shot. The puck barely made it through traffic but landed right on to the stick of Legwand, who was left alone in front of the Chicago net.

"Rads (Radulov) made a great pass to me," Legwand said. "I think Khabibulin was surprised to see me all alone right in front of him."

Radulov made it 2-0 at 3:21 of the first on the power play, scoring his third goal of the season. His one-timer from the top of the right faceoff circle came on a pass from defenseman Ryan Suter and beat Khabibulin just inside the right post.

Chicago closed to within 2-1 when Chicago center Robert Lang scored on a power-play goal.

Patrick Kane, the NHL Rookie of the Month for October, faked out two defenders and broke for the right side of the Nashville net. He slid the puck across the crease only to see it bounce over the stick of Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews, but the puck went right to Lang, who put a wrist shot past goalie Chris Mason.

Nashville increased its lead to 3-1 at 18:21 of the period when Erat knocked in his second goal of the season on a rebound off the stick of Khabibulin.

After allowing the three first-period tallies on just six shots, Blackhawks coach Denis Savard pulled Khabibulin in favor of Patrick Lalime.

"You can't blame Khabibulin, it wasn't his fault," Blackhawks coach Denis Savard said. "I was just trying to get us a spark by bringing in Patrick."

After Chicago closed within 3-2, Nashville doubled the lead at 4:20 of the third period when right wing Jordan Tootoo netted his third goal of season.

Tootoo stole a pass from Chicago defenseman James Wisnewski at the Blackhawks' blue line and took two strides before blowing a slap shot through Lalime, who was unable to fight it off with his blocker.

"You always have to be ready to get the call," Lalime said. "You never know what a coach will do, I just tried to do my best when I went in."