NHL Three Stars: Kruger sinks Ducks in 3OT; Crawford, Andersen shine
No. 1 Star: Marcus Kruger, Chicago Blackhawks
With 3:48 remaining in the third overtime period, a wide open Kruger tipped in a Brett Seabrook shot past the Ducks netminder Frederik Andersen. His goal evens the series at a game a piece as it moves back to Chicago.
No. 2 Star: Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks
Stamina of the skaters on the ice is often heralded, but it’s the goaltenders who face the most arduous test as the minutes and hours tick by in multiple overtime games. Crawford made 60 saves in the Blackhawks 3-2 win. Here’s Crawford stopping a dead on Corey Perry shot in 2-OT:
No. 3 Star: Frederik Andersen, Anaheim Ducks
Like his counterpart across the ice, Andersen was also peppered frequently making 53 saves in the loss. This is Andersen’s second loss of this post-season. Both of his losses have come in overtime.
Honorable Mention: Chicago’s power play went 2-for-5 early in the game to put the Blackhawks up 2-0 on Anaheim; goals were by Andrew Shaw and Marian Hossa. Andrew Cogliano and Corey Perry followed up the Chicago goals to tie the game at the middle of the second period. Francois Beauchemin (46:29) and Duncan Keith (49:51) led their respective teams in TOI. It won’t show on the score sheet, but the Ducks fourth line of Rickard Rakell, Emerson Etem, and Jiri Sekac were the most dynamic of all the lines.
Did You Know? Tonight’s game marked the longest playoff game in Blackhawks history. Oddly enough, the Ducks have played longer games with their record set at 5 OT’s in 2003.
Dishonorable Mention: Ducks hit 3 posts total in overtime, and were 0-for-5 on the power play. Andrew Shaw thought he scored the winner in the second OT, but alas, head-butting pucks into the net is not allowed. Chicago’s third d-pairing of Kimmo Timonen and Kyle Cumiskey’s combined ice time was less than any other Blackhawk’s defenseman. Here is reason No. 320498209 why Ducks fans love Corey Perry and everyone else hates him as he attempts to steal Marian Hossa’s stick:
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Jen Neale is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter!
