For the second year in a row game five of the Western Conference Finals at the United Center between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Los Angeles Kings went to double overtime.
In 2013, the Blackhawks won 4-3 to win the series on their way to the Stanley Cup Championship. One year later, facing elimination, they prevail again; this time by a score of 5-4.
Center Michal Handzus scored the game-winning goal two minutes into the second overtime period.
Chicago opened the game up with a goal by defenseman Brent Seabrook 73 seconds into the contest. They built a two-goal lead when defenseman Johnny Oduya netted his second goal of the postseason.
Los Angeles got on the scoreboard on center Jarret Stoll’s goal midway through the first period. Blackhawks left wing Brandon Saad answered with a goal a minute and a half later. The Kings pulled back within one on right wing Marian Gaborik’s 11th goal of the playoffs.
In the second period, Los Angeles took the lead with goals from right wing Dustin Brown and left wing Tanner Pearson.
Chicago right wing Ben Smith netted the equalizer early in the third period.
“When you’re in the moment, you try to stay relaxed, and [goalie Corey] Crawford made some big saves for us,” Saad said in a postgame interview on csnchicago.com.
Crawford posted 40 saves and a .909 save percentage and recorded the win, according to ESPN .
The Kings, who return home for game six on Friday night, will look close out the series and advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second time in the last three year.