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Kane, Lalime lead Blackhawks past playoff-bound Predators

Apr 5, 2008 - 5:40 AM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Blackhawks wish they had played the Nashville Predators a day earlier.

Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist and Patrick Lalime stopped 29 shots as the Blackhawks posted a 3-1 victory Friday over the playoff-bound Predators, who concluded their regular season.

Rookie Jonathan Toews also scored and Adam Burish netted a shorthanded goal for Chicago, which was eliminated from postseason contention on Thursday.

"This was a tough game for us," Blackhawks coach Denis Savard said. "We have been on a high here for a long time, so it was tough to get up for this game without the playoffs to fight for. They are still our goal, along with winning a Stanley Cup."

Toews' 24th goal of the season at 4:52 of the first period tied the game at 1-1, and the Blackhawks pulled away later in the session on tallies by Burish and Kane.

Rich Peverley scored the lone goal for the Predators (41-32-9), who posted a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Thursday to help them clinch a playoff spot and end the Blackhawks' postseason hopes. Nashville was guaranteed a berth when Vancouver fell to Edmonton later that night.

"Tonight was tough for us mentally," Predators coach Barry Trotz said. "Last night was a very emotional night, and it took something out of us."

Peverley opened the scoring with his fifth goal of the season at 2:18 of the first. However, Chicago responded with three straight and Lalime slammed the door.

Toews knotted the contest just 2:34 after Peverley's goal, as he fired a wrist shot from the slot that beat goaltender Chris Mason.

Burish put Chicago ahead for good at 7:11, when he broke up a pass at the Blackhawks' blue line and scored on a breakaway.

Burish moved across the crease and tried to stuff the puck under Mason, who made the initial save. However, Nashville defenseman Ville Koistinen, who had been in pursuit of Burish, slid into Mason, causing the puck to come loose and slide into the net.

"It was a lucky goal, but I will take it," Burish said. "I think their defenseman knocked it in, but if anyone asks, I went top shelf."

Kane made it 3-1 at 11:09, when he redirected a pass from Patrick Sharp over the glove of Mason for his 20th of the season.

"The puck was coming at me and I tried to deflect it in off my body," Kane said. "When they reviewed it, I thought it wouldn't count. I'm glad it did."

Mason made nine saves before being replaced at 10:36 of the second by Pekka Rinne, who turned aside all eight shots he faced.

"I just wanted to split up the time between the goalies," Trotz said. "I wanted to give Rinne sometime before he goes back to Milwaukee (of the American Hockey League)."