CHICAGO: It is no surprise the Chicago Blackhawks are in the play-offs for the fifth straight year.
After all, the NHL leaders started the lockout-shortened season with points in their first 24 games - a league record.
But the Blackhawks made a strong statement yesterday in becoming the first team this season to clinch postseason berth, as they used a third-period rally to beat the Nashville Predators 5-3.
Rookie Brandon Saad and Jonathan Toews scored 55 seconds apart midway through the third. Chicago (29-5-4) had fallen behind 3-2 early in the period on a goal by Nashville’s David Legwand, but Saad and Toews connected against Pekka Rinne to put the Blackhawks back ahead.
The Blackhawks defeated the Predators for the second time in two days and improved to 13-0-1 against Central Division teams.
“We obviously wanted to stay in the spot we’re in in the standings,” Toews said, “but first and foremost, our No. 1 goal coming in every season is we want to make the playoffs.
“To beat a team like Nashville twice in a row, first on the road and then at home, is a great thing. We did a lot of good things in that game, but most of all, we didn’t stop working. We found a way to win in the third.”
Patrick Kane, who set up Toews’ eventual game winner, added an empty-net goal with 32 seconds left to complete the scoring. Andrew Shaw and Bryan Bickell also scored for Chicago.
Kane’s hustling assist on Toews goal at 10:32 of the third might have been the pivotal mark on the score sheet.
Kane outraced two Predators to a loose puck on the back boards, then centered to Toews, who connected on a low shot from the right circle.
“That should be the headline, because you don’t see that too often. I’m just kidding,” Toews said. “It was a great play by him.
“I came flying off the bench and he saw me in the slot. My first thought was to try and find Saad backdoor because I could see him kind of going to the net there, but I went against that instinct and shot the puck.” AP
