The Stanley Cup playoffs begin Wednesday, and the Blackhawks will start their quest for a third title in six seasons against the Nashville Predators. If you’re the kind of fan who starts paying attention only come playoff time, shame on you! But yeah, playoff hockey’s even better. We’ll catch you up on the Hawks and Preds, using lines from the greatest movie released in 1987 that isn’t “RoboCop.” (That would be “Predator,” people.)
“I ain’t got time to bleed.”
On Feb. 24, Patrick Kane broke his clavicle. The timeline for recovery seemed firm: It takes 10-12 weeks for normal humans to heal that bone. Incredibly, No. 88 looks like he’ll be back within eight. (Maybe we should’ve gone with “Wolverine” quotes instead?) Kane was leading the NHL in points when he got hurt, and he’ll be the straw that stirs the Blackhawks offense. In fact, he’s so good on offense that the Predators will have to respect his ability to quickly skate by anyone, and that will help take pressure off the Hawks defenders.
“If it bleeds, we can kill it.”
Six-foot-5 Predators goalie Pekka Rinne can seem superhuman at times, allowing a mere 2.18 goals per game this season. But recently the Blackhawks have solved him, putting four or more goals past him in four of the past eight times they’ve faced Rinne. The last time they played, Dec. 29, the Hawks came back from a 3-0 deficit to win in a shootout, 5-4.
“She says the jungle … it came alive and took him.”
The Predators’ front office is trying hard to create a hostile environment inside Bridgestone Arena, but fending off the 500-mile-driving, red-sweater-wearing horde of Blackhawks fans has proved impossible. Already they’ve placed limits on who can purchase tickets, making them available only at central Tennessee grocery stores and allowing only credit cards with central Tennessee ZIP codes to buy them online. (Seriously.) Now the Preds will have the fans sing the pregame national anthem a cappella to awkward-shame Blackhawks fans from cheering during the song. (Also seriously.)
“The wound’s all fused, cauterized. What the hell could have done this to a man?”
Nashville defenseman Shea Weber has the hardest slap shot in the league. At this year’s All-Star Skills Competition, he blasted a puck 108.5 mph. As tough as frequent shot blockers Niklas Hjalmarsson and Brent Seabrook may be, no one wants to get in front of that heat. Look for Weber to be blasting early and often, and give a little more respect when you see a Blackhawk take one of those to his body.
“Get to the chopper!”
If by “chopper” you mean “prediction,” sure! Both teams enter the postseason on losing streaks (Blackhawks four, Predators six) but the Hawks are getting back Kane, who was on track to win the league’s MVP award. Also, the every-other-day schedule should be fun for fans and players.
“C’MAHHHN! DO EET! I’M RIGHT HEEERE!”
Okay, Arnold. Ever since the Blackhawks’ unbelievable comeback in Game 5 of their 2010 series with Nashville, they’ve occupied a large chunk of space in the Predators’ heads. It’s a psychological advantage that truly seems to help in playoff hockey, and so does the return of the Hawks’ most-skilled weapon. I’ve got the Blackhawks in six, and I’m hoping for a St. Louis rematch in the next round. Whole lotta “Blues Brothers” quotes to work through.
Alex Quigley is a RedEye special contributor. @alexquigley
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BLACKHAWKS VS. PREDATORS
Game 1: at Nashville, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, CSN
Game 2: at Nashville, 8:30 p.m. Friday, CSN
Game 3: at Blackhawks, 2 p.m. Sunday, NBC
Game 4: at Blackhawks, 8:30 p.m. April 21, CSN
Game 5*: at Nashville, April 23, CSN (time TBD)
Game 6*: at Blackhawks, April 25, NBC (time TBD)
Game 7*: at Nashville, April 27, CSN (time TBD)
* If necessary
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