Blackhawks advance to Stanley Cup Final
The Blackhawks are off to their third Stanley Cup Final in the past six years.
Behind 2 early goals from Jonathan Toews and a quick second-period tally by Brandon Saad, the Hawks stormed to a 5-3 victory over the Ducks in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals at the Honda Center.
The Hawks will play Tampa Bay, which eliminated the Rangers on Friday, with Game 1 set for Wednesday at 7 p.m. Game 2 is Saturday and Game 3 will be at the United Center on Tuesday.
Jonathan Toews gave the Hawks a 1-0 lead just 2:23 into the game, pounding in a rebound of a Niklas Hjalmarsson shot.
The Hawks' second goal was set up by Brandon Saad, who forced Jakob Silfverberg to take a penalty to prevent a breakaway with 8:52 left in the first period. Toews cashed in 47 seconds later with a wrister that Andersen failed to stop.
Saad then scored just 1:18 into the second period off a gorgeous pass from Patrick Kane. Andersen, who stopped just 5 of the Hawks' first 8 shots, had no chance with Saad all alone in front of the net.
Marian Hossa made it 4-0 at 13:45 of the second, and Brent Seabrook scored his sixth goal of the postseason to make it 5-2.
Ryan Kesler, Corey Perry and Matt Beleskey scored for the Ducks.
Three stars of the game
1. Jonathan Toews, Hawks. Scores 2 goals in first 11:55 of the game and also wins 5 of 7 on faceoffs in momentum-setting first period.
2. Brandon Saad, Hawks. His goal early in the third drained any energy that was left in the Honda Center, and he also drew the penalty leading to Toews' second goal.
3. Corey Crawford, Hawks. Made 35 saves, many of them coming in the second period when Ducks were desperately trying to get back in the game.
- John Dietz