WCF: Blackhawks Take Series In OT, Head To Stanley Cup

OVERALL RECAP:

With their backs against the wall there was little leeway for the LA Kings to maneuver coming in to Game 5. They had 1 option, win a game in the Madhouse and bring the series back to LA. Unfortunately for the Kings, Chicago had a different plan, and despite some late game heroics for the Kings, the Hawks had a little more determination, and punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup finals against Boston.

Jun 8, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Members of the Chicago Blackhawks pose for a photo with the Western Conference championship trophy with NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly after game five of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. The Blackhawks won 4-3 to win the series four games to one. Mandatory Credit: Scott Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

GAME RECAP:

4 Minutes into the game, Duncan Keith made his presence felt. Returning from his 1 game suspension, Keith fired a shot from the high point, blasting right through Jonathan Quick. Looking back, it’s going to be one he wants to have back, which for Quick may be a few goals this postseason. Take away 2 minutes on the clock and an odd exchange happens. Quick looks fooled by a non-icing call, which leads to a puck scramble in front of the crease. Patrick Kane is waiting on the doorstep and put home his first of two goals on the net giving the Blackhawks a quick 2-0 lead in an elimination game.

On a Dustin Penner penalty, the Kings find themselves down a man with a second waived off icing. With Dwight King stationed at the board a quick outlet pass finds Justin Williams who charges hard to the net shorthanded. The puck bounces out front back to Dwight King and the Kings are within 1. Quick would prove he’s back in the game robbing Marian Hossa point blank on a breakaway which surely would have been a gamebreaker.

Early in the third, offensive pressure from the Kings puts Anze Kopitar in front of the net. Kopitar would cram home a loose puck between the legs of Corey Crawford, and this game had some new life in the third. With just under 4 minutes remaining, Kane would pick up a loose puck in the slot, and roof one over the shoulder of Quick, giving the Hawks a 3-2 lead with time all but running out.

From here it looked like the game was over. Zone pressure kept LA deep in their zone late into the remaining minute of the game. With Quick unable to get to the bench, the Kings catch a lucky break on a poor icing call against the Hawks. Poor as in it was bad timing, it was a good call. That faceoff would be all that was needed in the offensive zone however. Off the faceoff a Kopitar shot is deflected off the legs of Mike Richards and into the net,and we’re going to overtime.

The first overtime would solve nothing, despite stellar play from the goalies at either end. Half way through the second overtime period and Jonathan Toews and Kane go to work. Breaking in on a 2 on 1, Toews would feed the open Kane, who snapped home the game winner, in double overtime, to send his team to the Stanley Cup finals, while at the same time completing his Hat Trick. If that’s not an impressive goal, I have no idea what is.

SENSHOT 3 STARS:

1 – Patrick Kane

2 – Corey Crawford

3 – Anze Kopitar