SPORTS

How the Predators beat the Blackhawks 4-1 in Game 4

Jon Garcia
USA TODAY NETWORK — Tennessee
The Predators celebrate a goal by center Colton Sissons (10) in the third period of Game 4 in the first-round NHL playoff series Thursday, April 20, 2017.

FINAL

The Nashville Predators beat the Chicago Blackhawks in four games to complete the first series sweep in franchise history.

The Predators did exactly everything they needed to do in Game 4, limiting the Blackhawks' chances and putting a stranglehold on the series by spending most of the game in Chicago's offensive zone.

The series was always going to be closer than the hockey pundits gave it credit for, but no one expected a mix of dominance by the Predators with listless play for the Blackhawks. Despite a mostly poor showing in Game 1, Nashville grabbed the momentum and never looked back. They looked downright unbeatable for most of the series.

They now await the winner of the St. Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild series, which the Blues lead 3-1.

Previously...

THIRD PERIOD

Viktor Arvidsson scores the frosty goal into an empty net, and the Predators will sweep the Chicago Blackhawks. Wow.

—Jonathan Toews gets one back for Chicago. There are five minutes left in the game. The goal was on the second of the two minors, so play is back to 5-on-5.

—Goal-scorer Colton Sissons is whistled for a four-minute high-sticking double-minor. Hold on, everyone. This is the series right here.

—The fans are chanting "SWEEP."

Oh, hello there Roman Josi. Nice to see you score again. Josi gives the Predators a 3-0 lead and looks like he is going to put this one away. Bridgestone's roof is a few decibels away from landing in the Cumberland River.

—Rinne came way out of his net to head off a loose puck before a Blackhawk could get a breakaway. He launched it off the glass and out of the zone, but from the TV angle it looked like it was extremely close to being intercepted. Because Preds fans didn't need any more stress. The Blackhawks are really pressing right now...

...And Colton Sissons gives the Predators an insurance tally with 11:08 to go in the game. It initially looked like Arvidsson got a piece of it, but the puck bounced off the crossbar and off Crawford into the net. Preds are in the drivers seat now.

—Pekka Rinne's glove is fully armed and operational. As if there was any doubt.

—Viktor Arvidsson just got destroyed by Duncan Keith. To give you some perspective: the hit was right near the blue line and Arvy's helmet ended up near the goal line. He went right to the bench but had a smile on his face.

SECOND INTERMISSION

The Predators potentially have one more period of hockey left in this series. The Blackhawks started pushing back in that period, leading in 5-on-5 shot attempts 26-16. (Nashville still holds the edge 42-35.)

Nashville isn't out of the woods by a long shot. We in hockey circles love cliches, but the next goal is huge. If Chicago scores, game is tied and anything can happen. If Nashville scores, it doesn't end the game but the hope will quickly fade on the visitor's bench.

SECOND PERIOD

Chicago is starting to turn the pressure on a bit as you would expect, but they still seem to be playing with fire. Kevin Fiala nearly gave the Predators a two-goal lead, but somehow couldn't slide the puck past a sprawling Crawford. In fact, it looked like a carbon copy of his overtime winner. Maybe he needs two more chances at that like on Monday night.

—Just going to leave this here:

—The previous update hadn't even published yet and Tim McGraw was playing. Roman Josi gets the Preds on the board first and 501 Broadway is shaking from the noise.

An assist on that goal gives Ryan Johansen six points in this playoff series so far.

—The fourth line nearly gave the Preds the lead. Pontus Aberg was skating circles around Chicago, and set up his line mates for several great scoring opportunities. Feels like only a matter of time before we hear Tim McGraw...

—Chicago had a 4-on-2 rush and couldn't score.

—Corey Crawford bailing out his teammates seems like it's becoming a regular occurrence. Jonathan Toews turned the puck over right to Filip Forsberg, who had a dangerous chance. I'm no hockey coach, but I don't think you want to do that.

—Marian Hossa had enough time to watch Lawrence of Arabia before firing a shot between the hashmarks, and somehow didn't score. The puck was bouncing around like crazy and several Hawks had chances to poke it through Rinne, but it wouldn't go.

FIRST INTERMISSION

—Nashville owned that period. The actual shots on goal don't really show that, but shot attempts do.

The Blackhawks were on their heels for most of the period, and owe Crawford several steak dinners for keeping the Preds off the board. With the exception of the second and third periods in Game 1, Chicago hasn't looked like the team they've been the past several years. They look sluggish and a few steps behind.

Should that continue, the Predators are in a good spot to close out the series. They just need to start converting on the opportunities they are getting.

FIRST PERIOD

—Mattias Ekholm saved his team from entering the intermission down a goal. The puck just crept past Pekka Rinne and was just chilling in the blue paint, but Ekholm swatted away Chicago's chance at the lead.

—Nashville did everything but score on that power play. They spent nearly the entire two minutes on the attack, and made several great keep ins when the Blackhawks tried to clear the puck down the ice. Alas, they couldn't cash in.

The Predators are getting another power play. Richard Panik tripped Ryan Ellis behind the Blackhawks' net.

—No big deal. The Predators' best player is just making between-the-legs passes through Patrick Kane to set up a scoring opportunity for his team.

The Blackhawks are playing way too loose with the puck. Twice in the same sequence they turned over the puck in their own zone and allowed the Preds to get shots off, and it happened again during the next play. Nashville is being relentless on the puck. They will capitalize on one of these mistakes sooner or later if this keeps up.

—Speaking of that extra gear, Colton Sissons just barely broke past a Chicago defender to charge hard at Corey Crawford. Crawford made the save, which he'll need to keep doing if the Predators keep pushing the pace like this.

—Yeah, so if the first 10 or so minutes are any indication.. the Preds came to play. Shot are currently even at three, but Nashville looks like they are skating faster and harder, and the Blackhawks are having trouble finding that extra gear.

—Less than a minute into the game Nashville gets a power play. Also Viktor Arvidsson almost scored. Hope everyone is in their seats.

PREGAME

—We have our answer. Craig Smith will not play tonight. P.A. Parenteau will slot into his first game this series.

—The big question ahead of tonight is if Craig Smith is healthy enough to play tonight. Smith looked as if he suffered an injury in overtime of Game 3, and was not present for yesterday's practice.

He is on the ice for warm ups, as are a cadre of other Predators.

We'll see how this goes: