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| Tyler Toffoli. Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports |
The Los Angeles Kings became the first team in NHL History to win three consecutive Game 7’s on the road in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Tyler Toffoli's second goal of the game on a redirection off stick of which deflected off Chicago defensemen Nick Leddy and over shoulder of goaltender Corey Crawford at 14:13 of Overtime. Los Angeles advances to their second Stanley Cup in the past 3 seasons.
By: Sunil Sunderraj
Chicago jumped on the board first at 5:06 of the first period when Patrick Kane fed Brandon Saad who shot the puck from an impossible side angle past Jonathan Quick. A few minutes later Justin Williams in the penalty box for tripping the Blackhawks would catch a lucky bounce with a Brent Seabrook hitting Kings defensemen Willie Mitchell in the leg and Jonathan Toews depositing puck into a wide open net making the score 2-0.
Los Angeles would respond late in the first period. First, Tyler Toffoli ringed a shot off the post after the puck hit off the glass and back of Johnny Oduya. Seconds later the Kings would break out on an odd man rush after Oduya broke his stick in Los Angeles’s zone. Corey Crawford would make an initial stop on Dustin Brown’s wrist shot but Jeff Carter display of hand and eye coordination tapped puck out of mid-air past Crawford cutting Chicago’s lead to 2-1.
Not even a minute later Los Angeles would tie the game up at 2-2 as Justin Williams scooped up puck off a Slava Voynov’s shot and snapped one past Crawford. Williams 7th goal in a Game 7 and tying Glenn Anderson for most points all-time in Stanley Cup Playoff history with 13. The tie would be short lived as 12 seconds later Patrick Sharp fired off an innocent shot that hit Drew Doughty’s stick, bounced and curved past Jonathan Quick’s blocker into the net. Three goals in 63 seconds and 5 total goals on 15 shots. Chicago scoring on 5 out of last 9 shots on goal.
In the second period the Blackhawks had numerous opportunities to increase the lead including a 5 on 3 power play but Quick came up with several outstanding saves. The Kings would tie the game up at 3-3 with 9:29 left in the second period as Matt Greene’s shot from the point blocked and deflected which led to Tyler Toffoli stuffing puck into net. Less than 2 minutes remaining in the second period Patrick Sharp scored for a 2nd time whistling puck inside the left goal post past a screened Quick who lost his goalie stick on play. First multi-goal playoff game for Sharp in Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Blackhawks with 4+ goals in 3 straight games. Holding 23-15 advantage shots on goal including 16-4 in second period. On the other hand the line of Toffoli/Carter/Brown with 2 goals, 2 assists and 8 shots on goal. Los Angeles with 3+ goals in 6 straight games.
The Kings came out very aggressive in the third period peppering Corey Crawford with shots on goal but Crawford turned them away. Los Angeles broke through with 7:17 left in the third as Marian Gaborik scored his league leading 12th goal of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Backhanding puck top shelf past Crawford. Initial save off Dustin Brown shot but Chicago lack of players in front of net led to the goal.
First time in 20 years we had a Game 7 of a Stanley Cup Conference Finals go to Overtime. The last time New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils in 1994. Los Angeles 7-0 in elimination games. Kings first playoff series win over Chicago. First time we have a New York vs. Los Angeles matchup in any of the professional sports since 1981 World Series Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Yankees. Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday night from Staples Center.
