In another multi-overtime game, the Chicago Blackhawks pulled out yet another win in the extra sessions. It didn’t come easy after a barrage of three goals in 37 seconds (second fastest in NHL playoff history) from the Anaheim Ducks in the third gave them a one goal lead and put Chicago back on their heels. After getting two of their wins in the first round against the Nashville Predators in multi-overtime games, they now have both of their wins in this series in multi-overtime games—winning 5-4 in 2OT over the Ducks as Antoine Vermette sealed the game to send the Chicago crowd home happy.
The first goal of the game was the only one of the first period as Brandon Saad stole the puck at center ice, and raced through the Anaheim zone to score a breakaway goal that he put past Frederik Andersen stick side to give Chicago a 1-0 lead. On the play, Francois Beauchemin made contact with a linesman that helped spring Saad. It was an unassisted, shorthanded goal and his fourth of the playoffs.
It took almost a full period before the next goal would be scored. From 19:13 of the first to 18:14 of the second neither team could break through. But Anaheim tied it up with a goal from Emerson Etem, his third of the playoffs as Kyle Palmeiri and Beauchemin assisted.
In the third, it really got interesting. Jonathan Toews put Chicago back ahead 2:38 into the period as he scored short side on Andersen. He held the puck just long enough and elevated it over the pad for his fifth postseason goal; Marian Hossa and Saad assisted. Exactly five minutes later Brent Seabrook scored his fourth of the postseason after a scrum in front of the net kept Andersen from seeing it and making a play. Saad picked up his third point of the night with an assist and Toews also got a helper. But as they say, a two goal lead is the worst in hockey.
Just 64 seconds later Ryan Kesler pulled the Ducks within 3-2 as he scored five hole on Crawford. A great pass from Silfverberg set up Kesler in front of the net as Bryan Bickell left Kesler wide open in front of the net. Andrew Cogliano also assisted. Just 23 seconds later Matt Beleskey tied it up with his sixth goal of the playoffs as he took a turnover in the neutral zone, faked out Kimmo Timmonen and drilled it past Crawford to tie it at three. Then, 14 seconds later Corey Perry gave Anaheim the lead as he reached tripped in front of the net, but got his stick on a puck that Crawford had just stopped with the pad and it slowly went into the net to give Anaheim a 4-3 lead and stun the Chicago crowd. But Chicago would fight back. After Silfverberg picked up a penalty for holding, It took Chicago just 16 seconds to put in a power play goal. Patrick Kane got his ninth of the playoffs on a shot that went five hole on Andersen, but stopped temporarily as he sat on it, then trickled in to tie it at four each.
In the first overtime, Chicago had a golden opportunity to end it as Shaw took a shot that hit the crossbar and bounced down into the crease, right there for Toews to put home, but Hampus Lindholm saved the day as he batted the puck away to keep the game going.
In the second overtime, despite being drastically outshot in the first overtime, Chicago kept the puck more and just 5:37 into the second session, Vermette scored his second of the postseason as he followed up his own shot, got the rebound and put it in from his left side on Andersen.
In this game Anaheim outshot Chicago once again at 51-40 and had 60 hits to 52, even though Chicago played a much more physical game. The Blackhawks did have the edge on draws, winning 48 to 40. These long games will test the stamina of the top four Chicago defensemen, who are all playing heavy minutes due to the injury to Michal Rozsival. Timmonen and Kyle Cuminsky are not getting heavy minutes in this series.
With the series even at 2-2, game five will be in Anaheim on Monday night.