Nashville, TN (My Sportsbook) - Jonathan Toews ignited a three-goal surge in the second period and Nikolai Khabibulin was strong with 22 saves, as the playoff-bound Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Nashville Predators, 4-2, at Sommet Center.

Dustin Byfuglien and Patrick Kane also scored in the decisive second period for Chicago, which already clinched a playoff berth and is now in a fight for positioning with regards to home-ice advantage in the first round.

The Blackhawks have 99 points, and if the Vancouver Canucks lose in regulation to Calgary later Tuesday, Chicago will secure home-ice advantage in the first round. The Canucks are leading the Flames 1-0 after the first period.

Vernon Fiddler and Jason Arnott scored for the Predators, who are in a fight for their playoff lives. Nashville has 86 points with two games remaining and currently holds the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. However, the St. Louis Blues, who are tied with Phoenix at the end of the first period, also have 86 points.

Pekka Rinne allowed three goals on 27 shots in the loss.

The only goal of the opening period was credited to Fiddler, his 11th tally of the season. The Predators were skating 5-on-4 after a tripping minor was called on Cam Barker. Joel Ward held the puck along the goal line to the right of the net and fired a centering pass into the crease area. The puck bounced off of Fiddler, then caromed off of Chicago defenseman Matt Walker and across the goal line.

Chicago exploded for two goals before the first minute elapsed in the second period.

Only 12 seconds into the stanza, Toews held control along the right-wing side and fired a wrister from atop of the circle that beat Rinne over the shoulder.

At the 50-second mark, the visitors grabbed a 2-1 lead on Byfuglien's 14th goal of the season. Andrew Ladd stopped a Nashville clearing attempt along the left half-wall and sent the puck toward the front of the net before Byfuglien punched it home from in close.

Later in the second, Kane's 25th marker gave Chicago a two-goal lead. Nashville blueliner Dan Hamhuis committed a turnover along the rear boards in his defensive zone and Martin Havlat gained control. Havlat then passed to Kane, who curled inside the left circle, drifted toward the net and lit the lamp with a backhander from in close with 8:35 to go in the period.

Nashville drew within 3-2 in the early stages of the third period on Arnott's 30th goal. Steve Sullivan skated down the left-wing side and, from the outer rim of the circle, sent a backhand saucer pass to the front of the net and Arnott redirected it past Khabibulin from the top of the crease at 3:29.

In the final stanza, the best scoring chance for the Preds came with a minute to go when Cal O'Reilly was all alone in front, but the puck skipped over his stick and Havlat went the other way for an empty-net tally that sealed it.

Game Notes

Chicago has won four straight games overall...The 'Hawks improved to 21-15-4 on the road this season...The Preds were 1-for-2 on the power play and held the visitors scoreless on Chicago's lone chance with the extra skater...Nashville has two games remaining -- at Detroit on Thursday and at Minnesota on Saturday...Chicago will host Columbus on Wednesday before it closes the regular season with a weekend home-and-home set versus Detroit.