Blackhawks top Ducks, force Game 7 in West
The Chicago Blackhawks kept their season alive with a big win in Game 6.(USATSI)
Anaheim Ducks vs. Chicago Blackhawks, Game 6
Blackhawks 5, Ducks 2 | Series tied 3-3 | Game 7 Saturday
Game 6 in a nutshell: The Chicago Blackhawks are still alive thanks to a dramatic sequence in the second period and finding a way to hold onto their lead. After a scoreless first period, the Blackhawks opened up a three-goal advantage in the second thanks to a trio of tallies in less than four minutes. The Ducks made things interesting with a late second-period goal of their own and an early one in the third period, as well as immense pressure in the third period. They just couldn’t catch up and now it’s onto Game 7.
Turning point: Patrick Kane scored after a brilliant Duncan Keith keep-in, to make it 3-0. At that point, it looked like the Blackhawks were in complete control of the game. The Ducks’ response to falling behind 3-0 was incredibly impressive, but that goal from Kane (video here) made the deficit too large for the Ducks to erase on the road against a team as experienced as the Blackhawks. A runner-up for turning point of the game is Keith sweeping a Corey Perry redirect off the goal line to preserve the 3-2 scoreline early in the third period.
Three things we learned
1. This series deserved seven games. You deserve seven games. The sport deserves it. This Western Conference Final has been absolutely insane and the fact that it’s going to go the distance is far from surprising. Both of these teams have had stretches where they look like dominant forces incapable of losing, sometimes at the same time. Of course, there has to be a winner at some point. From crazy comebacks, to multiple-overtime thrillers, there’s no telling what the finale of this series will bring next. If it lives up to the previous six games, we’re in for a treat.
2. Duncan Keith has probably been the best player on any team in these playoffs. He played 28:35 in Game 6, which might feel like a light night for him. He also assisted on all three Blackhawks goals in the second period, with his primary helper on the third goal as his best. Keith caught a puck to keep it in the zone and found Patrick Kane for the tally that made it 3-0 at that point. His most important play came when the Ducks were mounting their comeback. Keith swept a puck away from the net as it headed for the goal line. Without Keith, there’s no doubt that this Blackhawks team would be lost with its defense in the shape it is in already. The fact that he can play as much as he does and remain effective throughout, Keith is the clear Conn Smythe candidate for the Blackhawks if they end up reaching the Stanley Cup Final. He has 16 points in 17 games to lead all defensemen in these playoffs.
3. No matter the score, neither of these teams are going to allow themselves to be beaten easily. The Ducks mounted a serious comeback and for a lot of the third period were the better of the two teams. Corey Perry came inches away from tying the game if not for the quick stick of Duncan Keith. After the way Game 5 ended with a late Blackhawks comeback, it looked like the Ducks were poised to do the same in Game 6. Until the Blackhawks scored the empty-netter, Anaheim didn’t go away. Whoever wins Game 7 is going to have earned it the hard way.
Video of the game: Nothing was really certain for the Blackhawks in the third period, but Andrew Shaw‘s goal to make it 4-2 provided the insurance to give the Blackhawks some help. And it was an absolute beauty, too. First off, Andrew Desjardins managed to win a race to the loose puck. All he could do was send it to the middle of the ice and hope one of his teammates got to it. Shaw motored to the loose puck, but had Getzlaf draped on him. Instead of just whacking at the puck for a shot, Shaw actually collected it, slipped it to his backhand and roofed a shot, still with Getzlaf all over him. It was an insane effort and gave the Blackhawks some breathing room on their way to forcing Game 7.
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