The Ticket Chest

Blackhawks Playoff Hockey Starts Tonight!

Friday, April 16th, 2010 | Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, NHL, Sports | 1 Comment

Are you ready for NHL playoff action?  You better be – the Blackhawks take on the Predators tonight at the United Center.  Look for the Hawks to come out firing on all cylinders in front of their home fans tonight.  I cannot wait!

The Blackhawks led the season series 4-2.  The teams did not combine for more than 5 goals in any of the 6 games.  Although the Blackhawks struggled after the Vancouver Olympics, the team used a 6-game winning streak at the end of the season to hold on to the 2nd seed in the West, just 1 point behind the #1 seed San Jose Sharks.  The Predators won 16 of their 21 games after the Olympics break to qualify for the post-season.  Interestingly, both goalies – Antti Niemi for the Hawks and Pekka Rinne for the Predators – will be making their post-season debut.  Niemi took over the #1 goalie job for the Blackhawks from Cristobal Huet.  Head Coach Joel Quenneville has said that Niemi’s laid-back attitude made it an easy decision for him to make.  Niemi finished the season with a stellar26-7-4 record and a 2.25 goals against average.  It helps that the Blackhawks have perfected a puck-possession type style of play.  The Blackhawks avareged 34.1 shots on goal during the regular season – an NHL high.  In addition, they also allowed the fewest shots on goal during the regular season – only 25.1 shots.  If that’s not a devastating combination, I don’t know what it is.

The Hawks had one of the league’s best home records – 29-8-4 – during the regular season.  The Predators have not won a single road playoff game in franchise history – a streak of 10 games.  Looks for the Hawks to race out to a 2-0 advantage this weekend in Chicago.  Go Hawks!

Tags: Antti Niemi, Cristobal Huet, Joel Quenneville