2010 Western Conference Quarterfinal Game 6 vs Blackhawks

Lore & Background

This game is etched in Predators lore as a testament to the team's resilience. Facing a 3-2 series deficit and a Blackhawks squad loaded with future Hall of Famers like Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, Nashville rallied from a 4-1 hole in the second period. The crowd at Bridgestone Arena, known for shaking the building with its noise, played a pivotal role in energizing the team. The game featured a hat trick from Predators forward J.P. Dumont, who scored the overtime winner, and a gritty performance from goalie Pekka Rinne, who made key saves despite the high score.

In Their Own Story

The arena hummed with tension as the puck dropped. Down 4-1 early in the second, the Predators clawed back, goal by goal, the crowd roaring with each strike. J.P. Dumont's third goal of the night came in overtime, a snap shot that beat Blackhawks goalie Antti Niemi. The building erupted in a wave of gold as Dumont was mobbed by teammates, the ice shaking under the weight of celebration. For one night, Nashville breathed again.

Reader's Guide

The 2010 Western Conference Quarterfinal Game 6 was a do-or-die match for the Predators. The Blackhawks, the top seed in the West, had dominated early, building a 4-1 lead. But Nashville responded with three goals in the second period, including two from Dumont, to tie the game 4-4. Chicago regained the lead early in the third, but the Predators answered again to force overtime. In the extra period, Dumont completed his hat trick, scoring the game-winner at 13:17. The win forced a Game 7 in Chicago, where the Blackhawks ultimately prevailed, but this game remains a symbol of Nashville's never-say-die spirit and the electric atmosphere of playoff hockey in Smashville.

Did You Know?

• J.P. Dumont's hat trick was the first by a Predator in a playoff game.
• The game featured a combined 11 goals, the highest-scoring playoff game in Predators history at the time.
• The Blackhawks went on to win the Stanley Cup that year, making this win a highlight against a championship-caliber team.
• The crowd noise at Bridgestone Arena was so loud it registered on the Richter scale, according to local reports.