The Nashville Predators knew they were capable of defeating the Chicago Blackhawks in Round One of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. But a four-game sweep over the Western Conference's top point producer?
Starting with a pair of back-to-back shutouts from Pekka Rinne on the road in Games One and Two, followed by a dramatic comeback capped by Kevin Fiala in Game Three, and finally, a commanding 4-1 victory in Game Four, the Preds broke out the brooms on one of their fiercest rivals.
Perhaps Captain Mike Fisher said it best during the ensuing reflection in the locker room postgame: "We surprised a lot of people, but not ourselves."
Postseason Rewind: How Sweep It Is
Relive the Sights and Sounds of Nashville's Sweep Over Chicago in Round One of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs
© John Russell
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© Chase Agnello-Dean
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© John Russell
© John Russell