Goals were precious in the Chicago Blackhawks’ slim 2-1 win against the Minnesota Wild in Game 5 on Sunday, so it’s that much clearer that the reunited Patrick Sharp - Jonathan Toews - Marian Hossa line made a huge difference.
For one thing, they helped Chicago erase a 1-0 lead with what a second-period performance that left head coach Joel Quenneville raving.
Coach Q: "I thought our second period was the best of the series." #Blackhawks
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) May 12, 2014
That great performance included an assist for Patrick Sharp, as Bryan Bickell went to the net for a power-play goal:
(Bickell enjoyed his fair share of good times with Toews and Hossa in these playoffs, as well.)
Hossa assisted on this Toews game-winning goal, which is remarkably already the Blackhawks captain’s fourth GWG of these young playoffs:
That accounts for four of the seven game-winning goals the Blackhawks have scored, leaving Hossa obviously impressed:
Marian Hossa on Jonathan Toews' fourth game-winning goal of the playoffs: "He’s unbelievable. That’s why he’s a superstar." #Blackhawks
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) May 12, 2014
Close or not, a a win makes a huge difference and continues a powerful trend for Chicago:
#Blackhawks have not lost a playoff game after a series has been tied 2-2 in the Toews/Kane era. Now 13-0 in Games 5 and 6 in such series.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) May 12, 2014
The Wild got out of this situation against the Colorado Avalanche, yet familiarity doesn’t inspire much comfort from Minnesota head coach Mike Yeo:
Mike Yeo on similarity with last series: “It's similar in that it sucks. It sucks to lose a game like this." #Blackhawks #MNWild
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) May 12, 2014
Opponents of Toews have had that feeling quite a few times the last few years.