CHICAGO, April 16 (UPI) -- J.P. Dumont produced the tying and go-ahead scores in a four-goal third period Friday, lifting Nashville to a 4-1 win over Chicago in their playoff opener.
Nashville captured a road playoff game for the first time in franchise history, doing so in its 11th attempt.
The Blackhawks and Predators were the last teams to start the playoffs and Chicago wasted what were two periods of excellent defensive hockey in the Western Conference quarterfinals.
Patrick Kane scored for the Blackhawks midway through the second period, but that was all Chicago could manage off Pekka Rinne.
Dumont beat Antti Niemi with a wrist shot 91 seconds into the third to tie it and then put the Predators in front with 9:23 to play.
Niemi left the ice for an extra attacker in the final minute, leading to empty-net goals from Jerred Smithson and Martin Erat.
Chicago won its first division title in 17 years and established franchise records with 52 wins and 112 points. Nashville, however, became the fifth team to open a playoff series this season with a road victory -- joining Ottawa, Philadelphia, Colorado and Montreal.
Rinne, appearing in his first playoff game, made 25 saves. Niemi also made his playoff debut.
Chicago will host the second game of the series on Sunday.
