Predators Sweep Blackhawks to Open 2017 NHL Playoffs
The Nashville Predators capped off the franchise's first playoff sweep Thursday night with a 4-1 Game 4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks at Bridgestone Arena.
Roman Josi was the man of the hour, with two goals—including a game-sealing tally in the third period to put Nashville up 3-0, as the NHL documented on Twitter:
Furthermore, Josi's effort helped the Predators achieve something no team had against the Blackhawks since 1993, according to Hockey Night in Canada's David Amber:
TSN 1260's Jason Gregor provided more context behind Chicago's shocking playoff ouster:
"Blackhawks getting swept....First #1 seed in a conference to be swept in first round since expansion? #WOW
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) April 21, 2017"
Perhaps even more noteworthy is the Blackhawks were limited to three goals the entire series, as the Predators shut them down repeatedly, per NBC Sports' Liam McHugh:
The Predators were able to put the clamps on the Blackhawks thanks to a pair of shutouts back in the Windy City—results that have been rather rare over the past decade-plus. According to the Tennessean's Adam Vingan, the Predators became the first team in the past 15 years and only the third to post consecutive postseason shutouts on the road in Chicago.
And in an ironic twist, Bourbon Street Shots' Mason Ginsberg noted the No. 1-seeded Blackhawks were overshadowed in the win column by their eighth-seeded counterparts on the hardwood:
However, the New York Daily News' Peter Botte noted the NHL postseason tends to be an unpredictable beast:
Thanks to Thursday's win, the Predators will have ample time to prepare for their eventual second-round matchup. The Predators will meet either the St. Louis Blues or Minnesota Wild with a trip to the Western Conference Final on the line.
Entering Saturday's Game 5, the Blues own a 3-1 series lead over the Wild and appear primed for a date with the upstart Predators.
For more news, rumors and related stories about the Nashville Predators and the NHL, check out the NHL and Predators streams on Bleacher Report's app.
