Despite some issues between the pipes, the Chicago Blackhawks will enter Game 4 on Tuesday with an opportunity to take commanding control of their series with the Nashville Predators. Chicago leads 2-1 in the best of a seven-game series. The Blackhawks will once again turn to backup goaltender Scott Darling.
Corey Crawford started the first two games of the series for Chicago, but struggled in both. He was pulled early in Game 1 and Darling stepped in and helped Chicago come away with an overtime victory. After things went awry again for Crawford in Game 2, the 26-year-old Darling took over in net in Game 3. He's stopped 77-of-79 shots in his action against Nashville. He'll be back in the net for Game 4 with Chicago trying to take a 3-1 advantage at home.
"I'm just happy that it's gone well so far and that we're getting wins," Darling said via ESPN. "I didn't have any time to think about it (in Game 1), but when you know you're going to play you have time to get prepared."
If Nashville is going to avoid a troublesome deficit, it could use a better performance from its own man in net. Pekka Rinne has struggled in the series, allowing 2.91 goals per game. The Blackhawks scored four goals in both wins, and Rinne and the Predators' defense will likely need to limit the Blackhawk offense if they are going to even the series.
Offensively, Colin Wilson and Craig Smith have led the way with five of Nashville's 11 goals in the series. Wilson could use a bounce-back game after struggling to make an impact in Game 3. He tallied 12 shots on goal and three goals in the first two games, but didn't get a single shot on net in the third game of the series.
The puck is scheduled to drop in Chicago at 9:30 p.m. ET and NBC Sports Network will have the coverage.
Game 4 coverage
9:30 p.m. ET | Game 4, Western Conference Round 1
United Arena | Chicago, Ill.
Local: FS-TN, CSN-CHI | Nat'l: NBC, SN
Live stream at NBC Live Extra
More coverage: Predators blog | Blackhawks blog