Over the last few years, the Chicago Blackhawks thrive come playoff time, while the Anaheim Ducks are unable to keep rolling after impressing in the regular season. It was the same storyline again this season, as the Blackhawks took down the Ducks 5-3 in game 7 of the Western Conference Finals on Saturday night.
Jonathan Toews scored twice in the first period, while Corey Crawford made 35 saves in the clinching victory. Brandon Saad, Marian Hossa, and Brent Seabrook also found the back of the net for Chicago, who will compete for their third Stanley Cup in the past six seasons. Toews scored just 2:23 into the game and then added a power play goal at the 12 minute mark of the first.
The Ducks have now lost a game 7 at home in three consecutive seasons, all of which saw them blowing 3-2 series leads. The other two losses were to the Detroit Red Wings 3-2, and then the Los Angeles Kings 6-2. Ryan Kesler and Corey Perry scored for Anaheim after they had fallen behind 4-0 on Saturday.
Patrick Kane recorded three assists on the night, as the Blackhawks won three of the final four games of the series. They have reached the Stanley Cup Finals three times, and the Western Conference Finals five, over a seven-year stretch.
Chicago went down in a game 7 last season to the Kings, but got past the Nashville Predators and swept the Minnesota Wild to return to the finals this season. The Conference Finals series with the Ducks was the first ever postseason meeting between the two teams.
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals will take place in Tampa Bay on Wednesday night.
Jonathan Toews scored twice in the first period, while Corey Crawford made 35 saves in the clinching victory. Brandon Saad, Marian Hossa, and Brent Seabrook also found the back of the net for Chicago, who will compete for their third Stanley Cup in the past six seasons. Toews scored just 2:23 into the game and then added a power play goal at the 12 minute mark of the first.
The Ducks have now lost a game 7 at home in three consecutive seasons, all of which saw them blowing 3-2 series leads. The other two losses were to the Detroit Red Wings 3-2, and then the Los Angeles Kings 6-2. Ryan Kesler and Corey Perry scored for Anaheim after they had fallen behind 4-0 on Saturday.
Patrick Kane recorded three assists on the night, as the Blackhawks won three of the final four games of the series. They have reached the Stanley Cup Finals three times, and the Western Conference Finals five, over a seven-year stretch.
Chicago went down in a game 7 last season to the Kings, but got past the Nashville Predators and swept the Minnesota Wild to return to the finals this season. The Conference Finals series with the Ducks was the first ever postseason meeting between the two teams.
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals will take place in Tampa Bay on Wednesday night.
