It happen 5:47 into the first overtime. Alec Martinez scored on a shot from the left point. The Martinez shot from the point deflected off Chicago defenseman Nick Leddy and then knuckled past goaltender Corey Crawford. The overtime goal silenced the United Center (Chicago) crowd, and sent the Los Angeles Kings to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second time in three seasons.
The scoring came fast and furious in the first period. Chicago got on board first with goals from Brandon Saad and a power-play tally from team captain Jonathan Toews. Ten minutes later in the period the Kings answered back with two goals of their own. Jeff Carter fired a wrist shot past Corey Crawford, and Justin Williams also scored with the assists going to Slava Voynov and Dwight King. The game was tied, but that only lasted 12 seconds. Chicago’s Patrick Sharp scored to close the first period with a 3-2 Blackhawks lead.
The goal scoring slowed down in the second period. The two challengers traded goals. Los Angeles tied the game when Tyler Toffoli scored, and Chicago pulled ahead again when Patrick Sharp scored on the power play.
The Blackhawks entered the third and final period with a 4-3 lead over the Kings. The score remained the same until the 12:43 mark. Playoff superstar Marion Gaborik scored his 12th playoff goal on a backhand shot. The goal tied the game, and everyone knew that the final eight minutes were going to be very intense. The two teams traded opportunities late. The Blackhawks had two point blank chances to score, but Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick answered the call. The Game 7 battle was headed to overtime.
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The Kings continued their comeback tradition in this years playoffs with another comeback win tonight. The overtime winning goal capped off the rally. With the Game 7 win, the Kings become the first team in NHL history to play 21 games in the first three rounds. They also have become the first team to ever win three Game 7 games on the road. They have made things very difficult on themselves, but have proved that they are very resilient team. They have proved to the hockey world that they can work through any difficult position they put themselves into.
The Los Angeles Kings will meet up with the New York Rangers in the Stanley Cup Finals. Game 1 is slated for Wednesday June 4th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Brad Burud the owner/editor of the Inside Edge Hockey News. I am a huge fan of hockey, from youth hockey, to junior hockey, and of course professional hockey. I have played, coached, worked as statistician, and watched hockey all of my life. Hockey is not just a game, it is a lifestyle and family. The game of hockey is great! It can bring you nights of great enjoyment. It also brings nights where you feel like your team will never win. I am proud to be a journalist for the greatest game in the world. I have a degree in Business Administration, Psychology from Minot State University. I also have a Hockey General Manager and Scouting, and Sports Communications/Journalism degree from Sports Management Worldwide. I am also a member of the Sports Executives Association. Most of all I am a fan. Hockey is a huge part of my life and my families life.