Preds    4  OT

Hawks   3

I am almost thinking we should adopt a "have to win by 2" rule for these two teams.... the problem with that is we may be here awaiting a winner until the start of the next season as these 2 were that close! With this series going back and forth we rolled into a deciding game 7 and as predicted both GM's went with their back-ups as both starters were less then 100%. The "madhouse on Madison" was electric from the opening puck drop and the Hawks gave them every reason to be as they jumped out of the gate with 15 first period shots, the problem was J. Howard was equal to the task and turned them all away leaving the first stanza tied at zero. After the initial surge of the first came to a close so did the scoring chances for both sides as the game turned into a defensive struggle with not many opportunities. R. Lehner although on paper the better of the 2 Hawk goalies didn't exactly endear himself to the home faithful allowing 2 goals on just 5 shots against in the third and forced the Hawks to try and tie it late despite being the better team for most of the evening. When Chicago scored to tie it at the 12:06 mark of the third it appeared that maybe Lehner could redeem himself for his earlier faux pas but just 3:35 into the OT frame Evander Kane potted his second of the game to take game 7 on the road and move the Preds on! Nashville wins series 4-3