Predators 3 - 1 Blackhawks
Final
  for this game

Predators down Blackhawks

Jan 25, 2012 - 6:01 AM Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Mike Fisher scored the eventual game-winning goal late in the opening period as the Nashville Predators topped the Chicago Blackhawks, 3-1, at United Center.

Craig Smith and Colin Wilson also scored, while Pekka Rinne was solid in net, stopping 24-of-25 shots. The Predators have won four consecutive games and nine of their last 10.

"The deeper we get into this season, the more fun it gets," Rinne said. "The magnitude of the games are close and it's so much fun."

Dave Bolland scored the lone goal, while Corey Crawford gave up two goals on 25 shots in defeat. The Blackhawks have lost back-to-back games after winning three straight.

Nashville's game-winner came at 17:34 of the first period when Patric Hornqvist fought off two Blackhawks defenders behind the net and slid the puck to Fisher, who one-timed it home from in front to give the Preds a 2-0 lead.

After a scoreless second stanza, Chicago got on the board with a power-play tally at 7:20 of the third period when Marian Hossa, holding the puck along the right boards, found Bolland, who slapped it past Rinne from the high slot to pull the Blackhawks within 2-1.

Wilson added an empty-netter on the power play with 13 seconds left in regulation to seal the victory for the Predators.

Nashville struck first 11:49 into the game when Smith fought through two Chicago defenders in the slot and fired a quick turnaround wrister that got through traffic and past Crawford.

"They're a team that's on a roll," Crawford said. "They have a ton of confidence and a ton of momentum right now. Something we maybe could have broken if we had tied it up."

Game Notes

Prior to Tuesday's game, the Blackhawks put captain Jonathan Toews on injured reserve with an upper-body injury and recalled forward Brandon Pirri from Rockford...Tuesday marked the third meeting of the season between the teams, Nashville holds a 2-1 series lead...Chicago had its five-game home winning streak stopped...Nashville went 1-for-3 with the man advantage, while Chicago finished 1-for-4 on the power play...Following the All-Star break, Nashville will face the Minnesota Wild on January 31, while the Blackhawks will battle the Vancouver Canucks.






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