Blackhawks oust Predators from playoffs

CHICAGO – A season laden with unexpected promise ended unceremoniously for the Predators, who were ushered out of the Stanley Cup playoffs in six games by the Blackhawks in a 4-3 loss Saturday.

"Our guys played hard," Predators coach Peter Laviolette said. "You ask a team to go out and play hard and play to the best of their ability. I think we did in the series and not able to get it done. It's just a difficult time for our group right now."

The Predators were among the NHL's biggest surprises this season. In late February, Nashville was the league's best team and in position to win the franchise's first division championship. That cushion softened the effects of a late-season swoon, but the Predators never were able to fully right themselves.

"I think everyone left it out there every game this season, regular season and playoffs," Predators defenseman Seth Jones said. "We played as hard as we could. We're not out of the playoffs right now because of lack of effort. And that's all we can ask of each other. … Unfortunately, it ended a little bit too early."

Game 6 unraveled much like the Predators' season did. The first half of the first period was decidedly Nashville's. The Predators drove once-unconquerable goaltender Scott Darling to the bench after they scored three goals on 12 shots and held a two-goal lead. But the Predators mustered only 13 shots in the final 48-plus minutes, mirroring the tentative group that lost 19 of its final 27 games.

Chicago seized momentum in the second period, failing to score but still succeeding in putting Nashville under duress. It seemed inevitable that the relentlessness and experience of the Blackhawks ultimately would prevail, and defenseman Duncan Keith, who completed Chicago's comeback in Game 1, scored the game- and series-winning goal with 3:48 remaining.

"It's frustrating," Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne said. "I'm going to have way too much time on my hands to think about these things."

Even in defeat, the Predators recognized all that they had accomplished this season. They returned to the playoffs after a two-year hiatus. Their young stars — Roman Josi, Filip Forsberg, Colin Wilson — all took steps forward. They remained competitive in a playoff series without captain and franchise cornerstone Shea Weber.

Those achievements set up the Predators for a bright future. The present, though, was far too dim.

"We've got a lot to look forward to," Predators forward Mike Fisher said, "but right now it's tough to take."

Reach Adam Vingan at 615-259-8023 and on Twitter @AdamVingan.