These are the types of periods that can change a series. These are the moments that remind you that the Chicago Blackhawks are defending Stanley Cup champions for a reason.
Time will tell if the second period bring something the St. Louis Blues likely (if secretly) feared: a Game 7 against the Blackhawks.
Judging from this contest, the third period could feel like a game onto itself, much like the previous two have. That’s especially true with Corey Crawford shaken up by a hard shot late in the middle frame.
The Blues shook off a 1-0 early Blackhawks lead to run up a 3-1 score in the first period, prompting many to wonder if Chicago could dig deep again.
The answer: yes they could, and they did in a big way.
Chicago took advantage of great play from the likes of Andrew Ladd to swing that 3-1 margin to a 4-3 lead heading into the third period, including killing a penalty in the dying minutes.
In which Dutch Gretzky tallies his first as a Hawk pic.twitter.com/3McHyO4FUd
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 24, 2016
Interestingly, the Blackhawks have dominated second periods during this series while third periods have frequently gone the Blues’ way.
@watsukoguy @cyclelikesedins 7-3 for Blues in third
— Tom Timmermann (@tomtimm) April 24, 2016
In other words ... definitely stay tuned.