NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Nashville Predators have their first 2-1 lead ever in an opening-round series. It’s only fitting the first player they ever drafted played a key role.
David Legwand was the No. 2 overall pick in 1998 when the franchise was getting started. Best known as a two-way player, he scored the go-ahead goal and had two assists as the Predators beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 on Tuesday night and made some history.
The Predators have never won more than two games in any of their first four playoff appearances.
Game 4 is here Thursday night, but Nashville forward Steve Sullivan said they aren’t worried about stats and history.
“We’re worried about this series right now. We’re worried about the way we are playing. Tonight was a really good game for us. I thought we played right to our game plan from the top of our lineup right to the bottom. Peks was outstanding, Leggy had an unbelievable hockey game, and we just got a lot from everyone,” Sullivan said.
Pekka Rinne stopped 26 shots and has allowed only two even-strength goals.
The Blackhawks won a franchise-record 23 road games in earning the West’s No. 2 seed but could be in trouble even with all their offensive firepower. They are just 8-18 all-time when losing two of the first three games of a series.
“We handed control of the series right back to them with our effort,” Chicago captain Jonathan Toews said.
Flyers 4, Devils 1
PHILADELPHIA — Jeff Carter scored two goals and Danny Briere had one to end their playoff scoring droughts and help give Philadelphia a commanding 3-1 lead.
The Devils haven’t won three straight games since they won five straight from Dec. 12 to 21.
The Flyers have won 17-of- 19 playoff series when they hold a 3-1 lead. One of those blown leads came in 2000 in goalie Brian Boucher’s rookie season. Ten years later and in his third stint with the organization, Boucher has them on the brink of advancing to the conference semifinal.
“I put all that behind me,” Boucher said. “I’m not worried about what went wrong.”
Martin Brodeur stopped 24 shots and made one of the great saves of his postseason career. He just didn’t have enough help to beat a Flyers team that had the arena rocking all night long.
Boucher made 30 saves. His lone mistake came in the first period when Ilya Kovachuk scored for a 1-0 lead. That was all he allowed.
Red Wings 3, Coyotes 0
DETROIT — Vezina Trophy finalist Ilya Bryzgalov stopped the first 24 shots he faced, then gave up goals on three of the last 10 against him.
Jimmy Howard had a 29-save shutout, including one save without his helmet.
“I’m going to enjoy it here for a couple minutes,” said Howard, who gave up four goals to lose Game 3. “Then, just like I did the other night, forget about it and get ready for Friday night.”
Penguins 7, Senators 4
OTTAWA — Sidney Crosby had four points, including two of Pittsburgh’s five goals in the second period, as the teams combined for eight goals in the second, one short of the NHL playoff record for goals in a period.
“This was by far the wildest game I’ve been a part of in the playoffs,” said Chris Kunitz, who won Stanley Cups with Anaheim in 2007 and Pittsburgh last season.
The Associated Press
