Predators beat Blackhawks to finish 1st-round sweep

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Roman Josi scored twice, Pekka Rinne had 30 saves and the Nashville Predators beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 on Thursday night to complete a surprising sweep of the Western Conference’s top seed.

Colton Sissons also scored and Viktor Arvidsson added an empty-net goal as Nashville completed the franchise’s first playoff sweep. Led by Rinne and a terrific defensive performance by their lines and defensive pairings, the Predators limited the high-scoring Blackhawks to just three goals in 13 periods.

At Penguins 5, Blue Jackets 2: Sidney Crosby and Scott Wilson scored 51 seconds apart in the third period, helping Pittsburgh eliminate Columbus in Game 5 of their first-round series.

Bryan Rust scored twice for Pittsburgh, Phil Kessel added his second of the playoffs and MarcAndre Fleury finished with 49 saves. The defending Stanley Cup champions will face the winner of the Toronto-Washington series.

Rangers 3, at Canadiens 2 (OT): Mika Zibanejad scored at 14:22 of overtime to give New York a victory over Montreal in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series.

Late Wednesday

Wild 2, at Blues 0: Devan Dubnyk made 28 saves, Charlie Coyle scored in the first period and Minnesota avoided elimination with a win over St. Louis in Game 4 of the first-round series.

Ducks 3, at Flames 1: Patrick Eaves, Nate Thompson and Ryan Getzlaf scored, and Anaheim beat Calgary for a sweep of their series.

— Wire services