That stretch started with a 5-4 overtime victory at Buffalo on February 28 and included a run of seven victories in eight games during mid-March.
The Chicago Blackhawks have been here so many times before.
Nobody else in the Western Conference playoff picture can say any of that.
When the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs commence on Wednesday night, 16 teams will have a shot at the Stanley Cup. In fact, only three of those franchises have raised the Cup at all, and only two players were in their current uniform for it: Anaheim's Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, who won their rings a decade ago.
Back at the beginning of March, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Nashville Predators met for the fifth and final time in the regular season, with the 'Hawks coming out on top 5-3.
"This is a tall order, but I think we're up to the task", Poile said. It's why we work all year to get to this point, and as we have said in the past, the real season begins. For that tilt, we were fortunate enough to speak with Glenn Spinner from our FanSided affiliate, Predlines, to discuss the upcoming game.
Antonio Conte urges Chelsea to make a statement at Old Trafford
In the press conference following Chelsea's 3-1 win at Bournemouth, Blues Manager Antonio Conte said he thrives on pressure. Jordy Clasie scored his first Premier League goal as Southampton recorded a 1-0 win over West Brom at The Hawthorns.
Clearly, the Predators' playoff history suggests that how they play in the last quarter of the season plays a part in how they will do in the postseason. I think the biggest thing is, just like lot of these other goalies in the league, is try to get traffic, try to get him moving side to side, use the one-timers.
Yet these Blackhawks have been refreshed by an infusion of youngsters hoping for their first taste of Stanley Cup glory, most notably Artemi Panarin. The first place overall victor in the contest will receive four 100-level tickets to a Blackhawks game next season, but more importantly they'll get a postgame meet-and-greet with a Blackhawks player.
The Blackhawks eliminated the Predators in the first round of the playoffs in 2010 and 2015.
But Rinne hasn't been among the NHL's best in net this season. "Coach Laviolette, he's got the luxury of changing the lineup in many different ways - a couple of veteran defensemen, four or five extra forwards - we built the team this way to give options..." Keep an eye on Minnesota goalie Devan Dubnyk, whose proficiency against Vladimir Tarasenko and the Blues' scorers could determine this series.
The Ducks streaked into the postseason on an 11-0-3 roll, and they have more talent and experience. Marian Hossa scored the game-winner, and instead of being up 3-2 heading back to Nashville, the Predators were down 3-2. Stockman had 31 points and 21 rebounds in 18 contests last season for Louisville with a career high of 10 points at Grand Canyon. Only one of those teams will win their last game of the postseason.
San Jose might be far from full strength: Centers Joe Thornton and Logan Couture are out with injuries, and it's unclear when they'll return. The 6-foot-1 point guard usually goes unmentioned when the discussion turns to the NBA's best players.
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