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| Patrick Kane of the Blackhawks. Photo Credit: Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images |
The Chicago Blackhawks staved off elimination for a second time defeating the Los Angeles Kings in Game 6, 4-3. Patrick Kane’s second goal of the game with 3:45 left in the 3rd period was the difference maker. A perfect drop pass to Kane who circled the puck around the Kings zone utilizing patience, speed and quickness eventually snapped a wicked wrist shot past a screened Jonathan Quick. Kane’s 4th game winning goal in the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs and 7th overall of his career.
By: Sunil SunderrajLos Angeles jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first period with a simple dump in and backhand pass from Jarret Stoll that glanced off the skate of Michal Handzus to Dwight King who was positioned high in the slot and buried a shot through the 5 hole past Corey Crawford. Chicago had several goal scoring opportunities but Jonathan Quick stood his ground with pad stops. The Blackhawks power play continued to struggle mightily in the series 3 for 17 and 0 for last 20 on the road. Kings had a commanding lead in hits at the end of period 21 -9.
An early holding penalty by Anze Kopitar in the 2nd period led to another opportunity for the Blackhawks. Duncan Keith able to keep the puck in the zone. Jonathan Toews sitting at the side of the net fed Patrick Kane who fired a quick release past Quick tying game up at 1-1 with 18:48 left in 2nd period and breaking streak of scoreless power plays.
A minute and twenty-seven later a key block by Brent Seabrook in Chicago’s zone led to a breakout play. Los Angeles defense men were caught behind pinching in too deep. Patrick Sharp slid a pass across the ice to Ben Smith who banked the puck off Quick’s skate into the net giving the Blackhawks a 2-1 lead. Chicago had a chance to increase the lead to 3-1 on a 2 on nothing break but Sharp hit the post.
An early holding penalty by Anze Kopitar in the 2nd period led to another opportunity for the Blackhawks. Duncan Keith able to keep the puck in the zone. Jonathan Toews sitting at the side of the net fed Patrick Kane who fired a quick release past Quick tying game up at 1-1 with 18:48 left in 2nd period and breaking streak of scoreless power plays.
A minute and twenty-seven later a key block by Brent Seabrook in Chicago’s zone led to a breakout play. Los Angeles defense men were caught behind pinching in too deep. Patrick Sharp slid a pass across the ice to Ben Smith who banked the puck off Quick’s skate into the net giving the Blackhawks a 2-1 lead. Chicago had a chance to increase the lead to 3-1 on a 2 on nothing break but Sharp hit the post.
The Kings were able to muster an offensive push as Brent Seabrook sat in penalty box on an interference call but Alec Martinez’s wrap around attempt slid through the crease and off the pads of Corey Crawford. At the end of the 2nd period provided some fireworks as Andrew Shaw barreled over Jonathan Quick.
This led to a major scrum in front of the Kings net. As Quick was skating toward the bench and locker room he and Corey Crawford exchanged words and head butted each other. The referee separated them but Crawford was ready to throw down his gloves. 11 blocked shots in the 2nd period with Chicago leading in the category 12-7.
Early in the third period Quick made a spectacular stick save off Nick Leddy. Well placed drops pass from Patrick Kane. Chicago began to turn the puck over and encountered difficulty clearing the zone. This led to a hooking penalty by Jonathan Towes. Drew Doughty went top shelf past Crawford who was screened by Anze Kopitar tying the game up at 2-2.
Los Angeles would get another man advantage and capitalize again. Doughty faked out the Blackhawks defensemen and fed Willie Martinez who ripped a shot through the 5 hole past Crawford giving the Kings a 3-2 lead with 7:38 left in the third period. Two goals in 2:06 and 7 goals for Kings defensemen in the series. Chicago would answer back as Duncan Keith stepped into the play with a nifty pass from Patrick Kane and beating Quick blocker side.
The Kings would put immense pressure on Crawford in final minutes of the third period but he fought through screens and bodies in front of the net to make the key saves. Jonathan Toews won a couple of critical face offs. Remarkably Chicago had a grand total of 3 shots on goal in the third period including 2 in the last 8 minutes which both went for goals.
Game 7 will be at the United Center in Chicago on Sunday night. The Blackhawks are 9-2 in their last 11 games when facing elimination including a record of 2-0 in the Western Conference Finals. This will be the Kings 3rd straight Game 7 series.
