Blackhawks win triple-OT classic, take 3-1 lead over Nashville
It was the 100th shot on goal of the night. It was the last shot on goal of triple overtime. It was the shot the Chicago Blackhawks needed, and the Nashville Predators dreaded to witness.
Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook blasted a shot from the blue line, beating Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne through a Bryan Bickell screen just one minute into the third overtime for the 3-2 win in Game 4 of their Central Division semifinal series on Tuesday night.
“I’m glad it’s over. It’s been a long night,” said Seabrook. “Our trainers do a good job of keeping us hydrated and fruit and all sorts of crap that makes us feel better. But five periods is a lot of hockey, and I’m glad it’s over.”
The play began with a great chance from Patrick Kane that was deflected to the goal and then nearly tipped home by Bickell. He skated to the corner, collected the puck, dished back to Kane who circled around the boards.
Kane sent a pass to a wide-open Seabrook – his right skate on the blue line, his stick raised high above his head – who blasted the one-timer through a screen set by Bickell, battling Mattias Ekholm in front of Rinne. The puck flew in on edge, and right past the Nashville goalie for the 3-2 win and the 3-1 series lead.
(Kane then skated over and attempted to lift Seabrook in victory. It didn’t work.)
It was Seabrook’s third career overtime game-winner in the playoffs. It was also the Blackhawks’ second multi-overtime win of the series, having taken Game 1 on a Duncan Keith goal in double-OT.
Game 4 was the longest in Nashville’s franchise history, topping a double-overtime win at Vancouver in 2011 (34:51 of OT).
It was also a brilliant goaltending battle between Rinne (45 saves) and Scott Darling (50 saves), the journeyman backup who has stolen the Chicago starting job from incumbent Corey Crawford early in this series.
Both goalies had their share of highlight reel, sprawling saves. Rinne was particularly good in helping Nashville kill all four power plays they faced in the game, including two in the second overtime.
Colin Wilson put Nashville on the board first at 11:38 of the first period on the power play. Antoine Vermette – the Blackhawks’ trade deadline coup who was a healthy scratch in the previous game – tallied the equalizer under two minutes later.
James Neal’s unassisted goal in the second period gave Nashville the lead until Brandon Saad’s second of the series tied it a 11:03 of the third.
After that, it was on to the marathon overtime, as Nashville posted 20 shots and Chicago had 18.
Their last one was their best one, putting Chicago in the driver’s seat in this series.
