Predators won't get too comfortable against Blackhawks

For the second straight season, the Nashville Predators managed to waltz into an opposing arena and steal the first two games of their opening-round Stanley Cup playoff series.

Now they'll hope to learn from last year's near disaster.

"It's almost more dangerous to be up because you may be comfortable," said defenseman Ryan Ellis before the Predators beat the Blackhawks 5-0 in Game 2 at the United Center on Saturday. "I think we found that (out last year) vs. Anaheim."

Against the Ducks, the Predators returned home and promptly lost Games 3 and 4 by scores of 3-0 and 4-1. They also lost Game 5, but somehow rallied to take the series in seven.

"We felt comfortable, went home with a 2-0 series lead and lost two at home and found ourselves right back at Square One," Ellis said. "Those are the experiences you learn from, you move forward from and you get better at."

Ellis and the Predators are also well aware that they are facing a battle-tested Hawks team that never quits.

"We got the result we wanted, but we have a lot of work left to do. It doesn't stop here," Ellis said. "We need to keep on the gas because this team is not gonna go away.

"They have proven time in and time out that they are a championship team for a reason."

Crawford again:

Joel Quenneville said Corey Crawford will be in net for Game 3 on Monday. After Game 2, a subdued Crawford admitted the Hawks haven't been good enough and that the Predators are "playing their game to a T."

"I haven't been able to give our guys the big save over the first two games when we needed it," Crawford said. "They just sit back, play solid D and just wait."

It took Nashville less than eight minutes to score in Game 1 and less than four to score in Game 2. Crawford has saved 43 of 49 shots (.878), while Pekka Rinne is a perfect 59-for-59.

Nuclear option?

When the Hawks get into desperate situations in a playoff series, Joel Quenneville will often put Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane together. Sunday, he said pairing them along with Artemi Panarin is certainly an option, but one he may not employ right at the outset of Game 3.

"I always think we don't want to change too much in how we play, particularly on the road," Quenneville said.

Restless crowd:

It's not often Blackhawks fans can be heard booing in the United Center, but it happened at least twice during their team's 5-0 loss to Nashville in Game 2.

Brent Seabrook admitted Sunday that while it was tough to hear, he and his teammates deserved it.

"There was nothing you could really say about it," Seabrook said. "We weren't playing our game. Fans in Chicago are great fans. They support us through thick and thin, and we weren't holding our end of the bargain last night."

Shot blockers:

Nashville has blocked 41 shots in its two victories over the Hawks and gotten their sticks on plenty of pass attempts as well. And while Joel Quenneville wants his team to take a deeper look at when they're shooting, he also credited the Predators for taking away time and space so quickly.

"The lanes aren't just one deep, but sometimes two and three," Quenneville said. "That's our challenge, is to find a way to get better shots, better shot selection and better traffic."