Seabrook ends triple-overtime marathon, gives Blackhawks 3-1 grip on Predators

Scott Darling is an unmovable object.

The reserve goaltender refused to leave the crease into Wednesday morning, making 50 saves before Brent Seabrook blasted the 100th shot of the game through a screened Pekke Rinne in triple-overtime. His goal provided the Chicago Blackhawks a 3-1 stranglehold in their opening-round series with the Nashville Predators. 

Not only did Darling stand Herculean tall in the 3-2 victory, but he continues to make strides in uprooting Corey Crawford. He has stopped 127 of the 131 shots faced in his three appearances - good for a 0.969 save percentage. 

Star Performer: With little separating Darling and Rinne, Seth Jones' ability to log Shea Weber's lost minutes with such effectiveness is astounding. He played 43:30 - two minutes off the team-high - and added an assist, four shots, four hits and four blocks.

Turning Point: This one dipped, dived and turned in all directions, but wouldn't have reached any overtimes without Marian Hossa, midway through the third, dropping to Brandon Saad, who beat Rinne clean blocker-side. 

(Courtesy: NHL.com)

Goalie Comparison: Again, both were fantastic, but as he's been, Darling was slightly better than the likely Vezina Trophy finalist with a relatively equal workload.

Top Highlight: It wasn't a majestic moment in what was a spectacular hockey game, but how can we leave out the goal that prevented the game from creeping further into the record books?

(Courtesy: NHL.com)

Stat of the Day: Seabrook's third career overtime winner is the 17th total for current Blackhawks. The Predators have three.

Series at a Glance:

Game 1: Blackhawks 4, Predators 3 (2OT)
Game 2: Predators 6, Blackhawks 2
Game 3: Blackhawks 4, Predators 2
Game 4: Blackhawks 3, Predators 2 (3OT)
Game 5: Thursday, April 23, TBA
Game 6*: Saturday, April 25, TBA
Game 7*: Monday, April 27, TBA

* If necessary