The 2011–12 Chicago Blackhawks season was the team's 86th season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Blackhawks signed goaltender Corey Crawford to a 3-year, 8 million dollar contract. They clinched the playoffs on March 31, 2012 when they defeated the Nashville Predators 5-4. Their win marked the 4th consecutive season in which the Blackhawks made the playoffs. They were defeated by the Phoenix Coyotes in the first round of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs.