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Chicago Blackhawks battle back again to gain a point

If they haven't already, Chicago Blackhawks opponents in the playoffs had better figure out one thing awfully fast: No lead is safe against this team.

No lead.

The Hawks have proved that over and over and over again this season, but the two most recent examples have put an incredible spotlight on that fact.

First it was a crazy 3-goals-in-34-seconds sequence against Colorado on Sunday that erased a 3-1 deficit and led to a 6-3 victory.

Then on Tuesday there was a similarly crazy comeback as the Hawks wiped out a 4-1 third-period deficit against Vancouver and somehow pulled out a point in a 5-4 overtime loss at the United Center.

This time the goals were more spaced out - Marian Hossa at 5:48, Richard Panik at 8:10 and Ryan Hartman at 18:57 - and although they didn't win, the Hawks salvaged something out of an awfully rough first two periods.

Vancouver won when Daniel Sedin scored with 2:48 left in overtime.

"I thought we were much better tonight than we were the other night," said coach Joel Quenneville, whose team outshot Vancouver 44-15. "We didn't give up much, and usually that's how I measure our team. We had the puck a lot and they cashed in on their opportunities. …

"But we made a good (comeback) attempt and (had) a real good third period."

Vancouver led 3-1 despite managing just 5 shots on goal in the first 28 minutes, and the Canucks made it 4-1 early in the third on their 10th shot. It was at that point that Quenneville had seen enough of Corey Crawford and replaced him with Scott Darling.

Shortly thereafter, Hossa scored on the power play, Panik whipped home his 20th, and Hartman scored with Darling out for the extra attacker when Patrick Kane found him all alone in front of the net. It was Hartman's second goal of the game and 18th overall.

The officials upheld Daniel Sedin's game-winner after looking to see if his brother Henrik had interfered with Darling. Afterward, the Hawks' goalie was adamant that the goal shouldn't have counted.

"He's six inches inside the crease. I know the rules. It was a bad call," Darling said. "I know exactly what (the officials) did. They looked and saw the puck going in, and saw my head bumping.

"That's not what I was mad about. (He slowed) down my ability to play goalie, and we lost the game because of it."

Despite the loss and possible bad call, the Hawks are 17-3-1 in their last 21 games and 6 points clear of second-place Minnesota in the division.

They also continue to show incredible resolve when faced with serious adversity late in games.

Said Niklas Hjalmarsson: "It's a great feeling (to) have coming into the playoffs - knowing that even if you're down you can come back in a game or in a series."

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