It's Friday night, the Blackhawks were in LA and they forced a game 7. On to the highlights:
- Early in the second period, the Blackhawks tied the game on the powerplay. I know, that wasn't a typo. They were actually able to get shots and eventually Toews fed Kane with a one timer that Quick had zero chance on. Signs of life.
- A minute and 37 seconds after the Blackhawks tied the game, Ben Smith mishandled a bouncing puck and ended up far past the net. He used some quick thinking and banked a shot into the net off Quick from behind the net. Finally, the Hawks were the recipient of a fortunate bounce.
- Seabrook got throw in the box for interference in the second period the Hawks were killing the penalty well. Crawford got caught on the far post while the Alec Martinez tried to wrap it around and the net was left gaping. Everybody thought it was a sure goal, but Oduya jumped in and tied up the shooter, saving a sure goal.
- The Blackhawks tied the game back up with about 8 minutes remaining in the third period. Brandon Saad was shot out of a cannon for every shift he was on the ice after the Kings took the lead, and he eventually got the puck to Kane. Kane hit a streaking Keith with a backhand pass, and Keith beat Quick.
- With just under four minutes remaining in the third period Patrick Kane had finally had enough, and whipped out his infinitely huge brass balls. He controlled the puck in the Kings zone and skated around virtually the entire team. Once he got a clean look, he snapped a shot past Quick to take a 4-3 Blackhawks lead.
- While it's not the time for a fight, Corey Crawford going to down yap at Quick following the end of the second period was pretty inspiring. You can't doubt this guy's fire and love for his team.
- Faceoff wins favored the Blackhawks slightly. El Capitan, Agent Smith and Shaw were pretty good, but the rest were dogshit.
- Patrick Kane was on fire. Three points on the 4 Hawks goals is clutch.
- Kyle Clifford absolutely murdered Michael Handzus with a huge first period hit. Luckily for him, unluckily for us, Handzus got right up.
- The Kings took a 1-0 lead late in the first period when the Hawks over pursued everyone but Dwight King right in the slot. Seabrook, Oduya and Handzus got caught staring at the puck BEHIND THE NET and King just coasted in behind them.
- About a minute and a half after the Hawks took the lead, they had a 2-on-0 with Kruger and Sharp bearing in on Quick. Money, right? Kruger waited long enough, and fed Sharp, who was beaten by Quick with a gorgeous save. If Sharp was able to get any height on the shot it would have been a sure goal.
- Five minutes into the third period the Hawks couldn't get the puck out of their end and Drew Doughty used a Mike Richards screen to eventually beat Crawford and tie the game. If the Blackhawks win this series, it's no because Doughty didn't show up.
- Hey did anyone see Sheldon Brookbank out there for Versteeg? Me either. He played a team low 5:09, with Bollig and Handzus right behind him.
- The Hawks defense was all over the place early, so much so that gorilla Dwight King ended up with a breakaway. Luckily Saad caught up to him and annoyed him enough to keep him from even getting a decent shot off. Terrible defense, just fucking TERRIBLE.
- Two minutes after the tying goal, with Toews in the penalty box, the Kings powerplay came though once again. Doughty drew two defenders to Crawford's left and dumped the puck off to Martinez who shot the puck through two screens and into the net.
- A person I trust mentioned that Patrick Sharp has been dealing with personal issues, not an injury. That would completely explain why he is been invisible.
2014 Playoff song via HockeeNight: