It looked not too long ago like the Chicago Blackhawks were done trying to defend their Stanley Cup championship. But, like the old adage states, where there’s a will, there’s a way.
The Blackhawks were down 3-1 in this Western Conference Final against the L.A. Kings. But they won Game 5 in double overtime, then leaned on Patrick Kane to provide the heroics in what was a thrilling third-period comeback win in Game 6 on Friday.
We’re off to Game 7. It’s been a terrific series, but it seems the best has yet to come.
“If you want it bad enough you can will your way to getting things to go your way,” said Blackhawks’ captain Jonathan Toews, as per Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune.
“I don’t think anything motivates you like having your back against the wall,” Toews added.
The Blackhawks not only trailed in this series, to the point where they’re going to need three wins just to advance, but they fell behind the Kings twice - once in the first period and again in the third. Kane went to work, setting up Duncan Keith for the equalizer before scoring the winner.
The deciding game in this series goes Sunday. Both teams have the experience of long playoff runs and championships. The Blackhawks are Stanley Cup winners from a year ago. The Kings took the silver chalice in 2012.
“We’ve been in this spot a few times and we know how to deal with it,” said Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, as per Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times.