Blackhawks End First Playoff Weekend With 2-0 Win, Even Series at 1

The Blackhawks played their second playoff game to absolute brilliance. Antti Niemi stopped all 23 shots made his way, giving the Hawks a 2-0 win while also tying the series at 1.

There would be no third period flop for the Hawks Sunday night, as there was Friday night. The Hawks went into the third the exact same way they did Friday: up by one.

But the end result was different this time around.

A  goal by Hawks' star, Patrick Kane, in the third period was a game-changing one. The United Center erupted and the Hawks took the momentum and never looked back. 

If the Stanley Cup playoffs have shown us anything, it's the fact that anything can happen. No team is safe form elimination, high or low seed.

Phoenix currently has a 2-1 lead on the Detroit Red Wing, the 8th seed Flyers have a 2-1 series lead on the #2 seed, New Jersey Devils, and just the fact that no team is running away with any series is remarkable and is almost never seen in the first round of play.

A much more defensive Hawk team Sunday night compared to Friday. The Predators had two 1st period power plays, giving themselves a chance to strike early, but the ever resistant Hawk penalty kill did there job to the fullest extent.

“Thought our defense was solid, and Antti complimented them in a big way,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said.

It was a much better played game and should have players and fans optimistic for Tuesday's game in Nashville.

*Vince Vaughn and his wife decided to stop by the Madhouse on Madison. It'snot uncommon for Vaughn to stop by.

*Others in attendance were some Chicago White Sox players, including Gordon Beckham.

“I’m a big Hawks fan for sure,” Beckham told Comcast SportsNet Chicago. “It’s fun to watch, and from what I know about them, they’re good guys.”

“I’ve never been in a ballpark where when you sing the National Anthem everybody is yelling the whole time,” Beckham said. “So that’s something new, something cool , and it’s fun to be part of it. Hopefully we’ll go deep in the playoffs.”