Blackhawks Could Advance in Playoffs After Game 6 OT Victory over Canucks

COMMENTARY | The Chicago Blackhawks have created sports insanity in the hockey world. They defeated the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 Sunday. They did this in overtime. That in and of itself is good, since this game is part of the NHL playoffs. However, it really becomes news when you come to find out the Blackhawks started this best-of-seven series by losing the first three games and have now tied at three games apiece.

The Associated Press has posted an article at the Chicago Blackhawks website titled "Blackhawks 4, Canucks 3, OT."

Ben Smith scored the winning sudden-death goal with just four-and-a-half minutes remaining in overtime to clinch the major win for Chicago.

The Blackhawks barely got into the playoffs and, as a result, are paired with the Canucks, who had the best regular-season record in the National Hockey League this year.

Things looked dicey for Chicago for a bit. The Canucks would take a one-goal lead but the 'hawks would respond.

At the beginning of the third period, Vancouver scored. That got me down a touch. It seemed the Blackhawks might have been getting a bit tired. I was wrong.

Michael Frolik of Chicago broke free with the puck in Vancouver territory. However, a Vancouver player stuck his stick out and tripped Frolik, who was then awarded a penalty shot. Little did anyone know that never in the history of Chicago hockey had a player scored a goal on a penalty shot in the playoffs-Frolik did, tying the score at three.

From then on through the rest of the third period, it was a nip and tuck affair. For Chicago goalie Corey Crawford, it was a career game. He had 32 saves; 12 of those saves came in overtime. He was working literally on a "zero-tolerance" game plan.

The Blackhawks are the defending Stanley Cup Champions, but I think most fans would agree that they are not the same team as last year.

Still, in the last three games, the Blackhawks have shown a renewed energy and determination. You can see it in the way they are checking other players and hustling after the loose pucks.

As Canucks' coach Alan Vigneault indicated, his team played as well as possible tonight.

If that is the case, the Blackhawks have a good chance of moving on.

Reference:

Chicago Blackhawks' Website, Associated Press, "Blackhawks 4, Canucks 3, OT"