Patrick Kane's 1st Goal Of The Playoffs Keep Blackhawks Alive, 4-3 2OT Win

The Chicago Blackhawks were in a win or go home situation coming into St. Louis for Game 5 of the Western Conference QuarterFinals matchup with the Blues.  It was 'showtime' for Patrick Kane, as he came up with his 5th overtime, playoff, game-winning goal in his career, to help the Hawks live another day.  The Blackhawks blew a 2 goal, 3rd period lead, but win, 4-3 in 2OT.  Corey Crawford shined with 43 saves, although one he would like to have had back.

There were hits a plenty in the first period as both teams combined for 36 hits (STL-22, CHI-14).  There were few and far between chances for either team, but both goalies were up to the test as the period ended scoreless.

The second period saw 4 goals scored.  The Blackhawks got on the board as Marian Hossa took a fortunate bounce that started a 2-on-1, and he snapped one by Brian Elliott for a 1-0 lead.  It took the Blues :63 in order to tie the game when Jaden Schwartz slapped a shot past Corey Crawford, that he somehow missed.  Then, Artem Anisimov took a loose puck on the crease and slammed it in the net for a dirty goal with net presence, and a 2-1 Hawks lead.  Then, with :0.4 seconds left in the period, Patrick Kane found Artemi Panarin, who one-timed a shot past Elliott to give the Hawks a 3-1 lead, heading into the 3rd.

As expected, the Blues came out in full force in the 3rd period.  Crawford was able to fend them off till the 6:57 mark, when Robby Fabbri found the back of the net with a wrist shot in traffic, to make it 3-2.  Another seven minutes later, it was Blues Captain, David Backes, who re-directed a Alex Pietrangelo shot that found it's way to the back of the net to tie the game at 3 as it headed to overtime.

First part of overtime belonged to the Blues.  They put pressure on the Hawks and had some good scoring chances, but noe found the back of the net.  Things slowed down for the second half of the period, but nobody scored, so......2nd overtime!

Fortunately, it wouldn't take the entire overtime.  Patrick Kane found a burst of energy, during his 31:16 of TOI, to get a shot through, saw the trickling rebound on the opposite side of the net, skated behind the net, and slammed the game-winner into the back of the net.

There will be a Game 6.

Notable Mentions:  Marian Hossa's SHG was his 50th career playoff goal.  Richard Panik recorded his first career playoff point on Kane's game-winner.  Brent Seabrook had 39:48 TOI, 6 hits, 6 blocked shots.

Three Stars Of The Game
1st - CHI - Patrick Kane - (1G 1A), 31:16 TOI
2nd - STL - Robby Fabbri - (1G 1A)
3rd - STL - Jaden Schwartz - 1G, 5 shots, 4 hits

Next Game: Saturday, April 24th, Home vs. St. Louis Blues, 7PM CT

LET'S GO HAWKS!!!