Dumont takes it to his former team

A few days before Nashville's Western Conference quarterfinals series against the Blackhawks commenced, former Hawks forward J.P. Dumont told reporters just how excited he was about going up against the team with whom he made his NHL debut in 1998.

"It's definitely something fun when you're playing against an old team," Dumont said. "You want to beat them and that will make it more interesting for sure."

Oh, things are much more interesting now for sure after the Predators' stunning 4-1 victory Friday night at the United Center, and one Mr. Dumont is a huge reason why.

Two goals, including the game-winner, will do that for a guy.

Afterward, the veteran right wing was all smiles, but it wasn't just over his special performance, it was over his team jumping out to a 1-0 series lead and also making a little history in the process.

"It was special, but it was the first playoff road win for us (in franchise history), and that's the most important thing for us," said Dumont who played for the Hawks for two years before being traded to Buffalo in 2000. "Personally it's always something special when you play against your old team, especially in the playoffs, and I will definitely take it."

Though his second goal proved to be the eventual game-winner, it was his first on a soft backhand from along the boards - a shot that looked more throwaway than serious yet somehow flopped past Hawks goalie Antti Niemi - that proved to be not only a stunner, but a game-changer as well.

"I was just trying to backhand it right at net; lucky for me it bounced in," said Dumont, who had 23 points in 33 regular-season games against the Hawks heading into the series opener. "It was a lucky bounce, but we'll take it."

It was a tide turner for the Predators, who had played toe to toe with the Hawks for two periods yet still trailed by a goal.

"That got us rolling," Nashville coach Barry Trotz said. "It gave us a little confidence."

But it was Dumont's second goal, coming as a result of some ferocious Predators forechecking, that proved the backbreaker for the Hawks.

"When I saw Liggy (David Legwand) in for a mini-breakaway, I made sure if there was a rebound I was going to be there," Dumont said.

There was, Dumont was, and now the Predators are right there too in this best-of-seven series, yet another playoff series that has started with the better seeded team falling in the opener.

"We're worried about the Chicago Blackhawks and I don't think any of the other series in the NHL has a bearing of what's going to happen here," said Steve Sullivan, another former Blackhawk turned Pred. "It's significant because it's the first (road) win in our franchise history. We'll take it.

"But it's great to come in and finally win one on the road."