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.