Survival Mode Suiting Scrappy Predators After Big Game 5 Win vs. Blackhawks

It turns out that all the Predators needed was to be pushed to the brink of extinction.

With their playoff lives on the line, Nashville showed the toothy brand of attack that made the team so deadly during the regular season.

The result was a convincing 5-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks that extended the first-round NHL playoff series at least one more game. The Hawks are still up 3-2 with a chance to clinch at home in Game 6, but thanks to an explosion of offense from the team’s top players, the Predators look as deadly as ever and nowhere near done.

The nothing-to-lose mindset is what they’ll need to win two more in order to earn a spot in the second round.

Looking loose, fast, and capable of scoring on nearly every shift, the Predators didn’t even seem to miss star blueliner Shea Weber, who NBCSN broadcaster Gord Miller suggested during the game might be out long-term with a torn ACL.

When playing their style, the Predators are tough to beat. They have an aggressive forecheck and puck pursuit, firing plenty of shots on net from every angle and ensuring they have enough bodies in front of the net to capitalize on chances that materialize.

“I think we went more for the attack," rookie Filip Forsberg told the NHL Network after the win. "I think we sat back too much last game. Now I think we just took it to them and tried to go for the next goal and I think that’s the biggest key."

Forsberg punctuated the big victory and showed Calder Trophy voters they might have made the wrong call in leaving him out of the group of finalists for rookie of the year with his first NHL hat trick, including an empty-netter in the dying seconds.

The first individual three-goal performance in Preds playoff history came on the same day the trio of Johnny Gaudreau, Mark Stone and Aaron Ekblad were announced as nominees, while Forsberg—the freshman who was the frontrunner for much of the season—is on the outside looking in.

“A lot of people in Nashville not too happy about that, but more than delighted with this,” suggested Miller on the NBCSN feed.

Forsberg didn't say too much about the slight, although he looked a little disappointed.

“I’m not the one picking," he said on the broadcast with a shrug, adding it wasn't the inspiration for his strong showing. “You don’t really need any extra motivation for these games.”

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

But Forsberg wasn’t alone in delighting the Nashville crowd and bringing back a belief the high-octane team might actually be able to oust the perennial Western Conference powerhouse Hawks.

Colin Wilson and Mike Fisher were game-time decisions who both suited up. Their presence allowed the reunion of a trio that worked wonders during the regular season with Forsberg and sniper James Neal flanking playmaker Mike Ribeiro.

Neal scored a nifty wraparound to give the Preds their first lead of the game. Ribeiro earned a powerplay assist but looked willing to do whatever it takes to win—even throwing what little weight he has around in an effort to knock Blackhawks star Patrick Kane off his game.

Wilson continued his hot streak with his fifth goal in as many games in the series. That one proved to be the winner.

Prior to Thursday’s big outing, the Predators couldn’t get much offense from anyone against Blackhawks backup goalie Scott Darling, who took over for regular-season starter Corey Crawford after Game 2 and put together a pair of wins in a row while allowing a total of four goals against.

They look to have the big man figured out now. Darling seemed small at times and was on his heels with the Predators on the attack all night long.

There was even some postgame line of questioning that suggested maybe Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville should think about going back to the veteran Crawford in goal.

It’s thoughts like those that bode well for the Predators’ hopes in the series.

Coming back from a 3-1 deficit against the team that has won the Stanley Cup in two of the last five seasons is no easy task, but rediscovering the confidence created by being an underdog all season and playing above expectations is a heck of a start.

Steve Macfarlane has covered the NHL hockey for more than a decade, including seven seasons following the Calgary Flames for the Calgary Sun. Follow him on Twitter at @macfarlaneHKY