Antti Niemi (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Antti Niemi added to his legacy as a Blackhawk in front of the home crowd. He shutout the Nashville Predators 2-0, and it was exactly what his team needed take control of the first-round playoff series. It was the first playoff shutout ever for a Blackhawk rookie, and the first post-season shutout since Ed Belfour did so in 1996. Niemi had seven no-hitters in his rookie season.
Every goalie experience some level of luck every night they strap on the pads, but if the Predators weren’t such an inept offensive team the Blackhawks would not have won last night’s game. They didn’t have that great of a presence down low, and there were a few times they couldn’t take advantage of their offensive opportunities. Niemi saw every shot from the point and high slot because they didn’t hinder the Finn’s vision.
All season the defense has been very effective at keeping opponent shots at a distance, thus limiting the number of quality shots their goalie will face on any given night. The ‘Hawks didn’t really do that Sunday, and weren’t all to great at defending the crease and a few Niemi rebounds sit in the slot. Niemi was forced to make kicker save after kicker save to keep his team in the game. Yea, there were some nice defensive plays made (see Brent Sopel’s sprawling shot-block), but if they don’t play a tighter game the Predators will likely take the next game in Nashville. Shutouts are always nice, but in the post-season I have a hard time finding comfort in them.
Loading ...
