Wild advance, set for rematch against Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks advanced to the Western Conference Second Round by eliminating the Nashville Predators with a 4-3, Game 6 victory at United Center on Saturday.

The Blackhawks have made it to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs each of the past three seasons and won the championship in 2013.

Chicago could learn its opponent Sunday afternoon. The Minnesota Wild would advance with a win against the St. Louis Blues in Game 6 of their first-round series (3 p.m. ET: NBC, TVA Sports, SN). Game 7, if necessary, would be Wednesday.

Goalie - MIN

RECORD: 3-2
GAA: 2.61 | SVP: .898

The Blackhawks won their first three games against the Wild this season, but Minnesota allowed one goal in winning each of the last two after acquiring goalie Devan Dubnyk in a trade with the Arizona Coyotes on Jan. 16.

Dubnyk, who went 27-8-2 with a 1.73 goals-against average and .938 save percentage in 38 starts with the Wild to help boost Minnesota into the postseason, made 56 saves on 57 shots in the two wins.

Chicago lost three of five games against St. Louis, including twice by a 2-1 score four days apart in April. Blues rookie goalie Jake Allen made 59 saves on 61 shots in those victories.

The Blackhawks eliminated the Blues and Wild from the 2014 playoffs. Chicago trailed St. Louis 2-0 but won four straight to defeat the Blues in six games in the first round before knocking out the Wild in six games in the second round.

Chicago played a lot of hockey in this first round. Two wins against Nashville went well past regulation time; Game 1 was decided at 7:49 of the second overtime, and Chicago trailed 2-1 before defenseman Brent Seabrook scored at 1:00 of the third overtime to end a back-and-forth Game 4.

Goalie - CHI

RECORD: 1-1
GAA: 4.19 | SVP: .850

Coach Joel Quenneville changed starting goalies, opting for 26-year-old rookie journeyman Scott Darling instead of Corey Crawford, who helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 2013 but struggled in Games 1 and 2.

Crawford got back into the net in Game 6 after Nashville took a 3-1 lead and stopped 13 shots in the comeback win.

Chicago also advanced with its top scorer, forward Patrick Kane, playing at less than 100 percent. Kane, who initially wasn't supposed to return until at least Western Conference Final after fracturing his left collarbone Feb. 24, had two goals and five assists against Nashville.

Kane had two goals and six assists in four games against Minnesota, and two goals and two assists in four games against St. Louis. Forward Kris Versteeg led the Blackhawks with five points (three goals) against the Blues.

Crawford went 2-2-0 against Minnesota but had a .948 save percentage.