Jonathan Toews OT Winner Put Chicago Blackhawks Up On St. Louis Blues

Apr 25, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) shoots and scores the game winning goal against St. Louis Blues goalie Ryan Miller (39) during overtime in game five of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. The Blackhawks defeated the Blues 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

For the first time in the series, a road team won a game as the defending Stanley Cup Champions broke serve in their hard-fought series with the St. Louis Blues, and now hold a 3-2 series lead with an opportunity to finish the series on home ice.

For the fourth time in 5 games, 60 minutes wasn’t enough to solve who the better team was, and overtime was required after Chicago twice took the lead and twice St. Louis came back to tie it up.  Marian Hossa got the Hawks on the board in the first period, while T.J. Oshie tied it up midway through the second period with a highlight reel goal from his knees.

Ben Smith‘s dogged forecheck was rewarded late in the second as he twice stole the puck in the offensive end and then found himself in position to put a backhander past Ryan Miller from the slot.

While playing 4 on 4 hockey early in the third, Jaden Schwartz found a flying Alex Pietrangelo joining the rush and putting a wrist shot past Corey Crawford.

Captain Serious Toews scored his second game winner in three games after being in the right place at the right time in the right situation.  A save by Crawford and Duncan Keith‘s desperate clearing attempt went right to Toews who was at center ice catching the Blues on a line chance.  Toews went in alone on Miller, and after faking a forehand to freeze the Blues goalie, he went backhand and just tucked the puck between Miller’s outstretched pad and the post for the winner.

It was just the second road game won in the entire Western Conference so far this playoff season, and Chicago will try to end it on Sunday afternoon at the United Center.