CHICAGO – Facing a must win game for the second time in a row the Nashville Predators came out hot to open the first period.
James Neal scored twice to give Nashville a 2-0 lead before Patrick Sharp scored off a rebound to cut the Chicago defecit to 1.
Minutes later Matt Cullen ended Scott Darling’s night and finished as the Preds took a 3-1 lead.
But they couldn’t hold it to end the period, Jonathan Toews scored on a slap shot and with 8.6 seconds remaining Patrick Kane evened the game at the end of the first period 3-3.
The next goal would be the last of the game as Duncan Keith scored from near the blue line with less than four minutes left on the clock to win the game 4-3 for the Blackhawks.
With the loss the Preds are eliminated from the post season in six games 4-2.