Predators plan to use anthem twist at home to silence Blackhawks faithful

The Nashville Predators plan to use a national anthem twist at home games during their first-round playoff series against the Chicago Blackhawks in hopes of silencing the rival crowd that steps foot in their building.

Nashville will play the national anthem, but have the fans sing it rather than a guest singer, which is done at most other arenas in hockey, John Glennon of The Tennessean reports.

"It would almost be against God, country and apple pie to shout and cheer through the person next to you singing the anthem of the United States of America, wouldn’t it?" Predators president Sean Henry said.

The intention behind the change is to quiet Chicago fans, who customarily clap and cheer during the anthem, believing it adds some kind of extra spirit and patriotism.

The Predators have tried to use other tactics to stymie the Blackhawks tradition - which dates back three decades - in the past, including singing "God Bless America" in place of the anthem.