Duncan Keith opens Game 6 scoring with incredible goal for Blackhawks (Video)

CHICAGO – Duncan Keith entered Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final as the prohibitive favorite to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. Scoring one of the most spectacular goals of the playoffs didn’t harm his case.

After a thrilling second period that saw the Chicago Blackhawks and Tampa Bay Lightning trade chances in a scoreless tie, Keith finally broke through at 17:13 to give the Blackhawks the lead with his third of the postseason. 

Brad Richards got the play going with a pass to Patrick Kane on right wing. He stopped at the top of the attacking zone, allowing Keith to enter with a head of steam. He fed Keith, and the defenseman fired the puck through Cedric Paquette, using him as a screen.

Lightning goalie Ben Bishop made the save, but left the rebound, assuming Keith would be allowed to get to the net. But he blew past Paquette, Andrej Sustr was caught flat-footed near the crease, and Keith put the puck over Bishop’s glove to score the game’s first goal.

Brilliant goal. Bad defense from the Lightning. And another plank in the MVP platform for Duncan Keith, who skated 19:19 in the first two periods and crossed 700 minutes played for the postseason. 

His 21st point of the plaoffs also tied Chris Pronger (2006) for most points by a defenseman in the last 20 years of playoff hockey.