CHICAGO -- First, it was Jonathan Toews on a electrical power play, and then Patrick Sharp got loose on a breakaway. Andrew Shaw tipped one residence, and it was all over.
A single dazzling stretch for the Chicago Blackhawks put an end to their tight initial-round series towards the St. Louis Blues.
Duncan Keith had a goal and 3 assists, and the Blackhawks utilised a 4-purpose third period to finish off the Blues with a 5-one victory in Game 6 on Sunday.
Stanley Cup Playoffs Hawks overcome penalties, move on to 2nd round"It feels excellent to contribute in a massive game http://www.blackhawksicestore.com/Blackhawks_Marian_Hossa_Jerseys," Keith explained, "and I consider just the main thing for me is just being ready to move on and get a couple days to unwind and just regroup and focus on the up coming round Patrick Kane Authentic Jersey."
Chicago won 4 in a row following a slow commence in St. Louis. The defending Stanley Cup champions will perform the winner of the Minnesota-Colorado series in the Western Conference semifinals. The Avalanche lead the Wild 3-two heading into Game 6 in Minnesota on Monday evening.
Toews, Sharp and Shaw scored in the first 7 minutes of the third and Keith closed out the scoring as the Blackhawks improved to 14-2 in property playoff games in excess of the previous two seasons.
Bryan Bickell scored in the initial and Corey Crawford created 35 saves, maintaining Chicago in a tie game when St. Louis managed the 2nd time period.
"They were dominating the very first 40 minutes here and we came back with possibly the ideal period of the 12 months," coach Joel Quenneville stated.
T.J. Oshie scored for the Blues, who outshot the Blackhawks 36-27. Ryan Miller finished with 22 saves.
St. Louis went for six in ten minutes of power-perform time over the initial two periods, wasting a opportunity to consider the lead. The Blues went two for 29 with the man advantage for the series.
"I believe the two the PK and (Crawford) won the game and the series ultimately," Quenneville mentioned. "I believe that was the huge issue in us getting by way of."
The Blackhawks also struggled on the power perform, but they scored when it mattered most.
With Jay Bouwmeester in the box for tripping, Keith manufactured a good stop to keep the puck in the St. Louis zone, and then sent a pass in excess of to Toews. The captain beat Miller over his proper shoulder for a 2-1 lead just 44 seconds into the third.
It was Toews' third game-winning aim of the series. He also scored on a breakaway in overtime of Friday night's 3-2 win.
Toews' 23rd profession postseason goal seemed to consider the air out of the Blues, and it got even worse for St. Louis. Sharp acquired loose for a breakaway, shook off a stick to the face by defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk and slid a shot past Miller.
"The third goal was actually a backbreaker for us," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock mentioned. "That was really the 1 that hurt. We had been chasing them all series and able to catch up in games, but I considered the third goal truly took the wind out of our sails."
Sharp's first stage of the playoffs sent a charge by means of the towel-waving sellout crowd of 22,144, and there were mocking chants of "Mil-ler! Mil-ler!" as Shaw added his second goal of the series and helped set up Keith for his second.
It was an eerily related playoff exit for St. Louis to a year ago, when the Blues also have been eliminated by the defending Stanley Cup champions in six video games in the very first round. In that 2013 playoff series, St. Louis won the 1st two video games at property against Los Angeles, and then misplaced 4 in a row.
This 12 months was supposed to be various, specifically soon after the Blues acquired Miller from Buffalo on March one Duncan Keith Jersey. But they misplaced their final six games of the regular season, putting them in a 1st-round series towards rival Chicago.
St. Louis rebounded for two four-three overtime victories, but the Blackhawks found their stride when the series shifted to Chicago. Crawford had a shutout in Game 3, Patrick Kane scored in overtime in Game 4, and Toews' breakaway score in St. Louis place the Blackhawks in place to advance.
"It was a single perform right here, one particular perform there," Blues captain David Backes said. "But it was on our stick and we needed to get the work completed. We did not get it carried out and we're going property too early."
Chicago defenseman Brent Seabrook returned from a three-game suspension. Seabrook was punished by the NHL for his hit on Backes in Game two.
"It was challenging. I can not watch hockey," Seabrook stated. "You are hanging on each shot, each and every conserve Patrick Sharp Jersey, every perform. You want to be out there helping the guys. It was certainly tough to observe it, but they did a wonderful work."
Backes exacted a measure of revenge when he delivered a tough hit on Seabrook into the finish boards in the second period. But Seabrook extra two far more assists and had 6 points for the series.
Notes
Blackhawks F Kris Versteeg was scratched soon after he played in the very first five video games Blackhawks Store. ... Keith, a best candidate for the Norris Trophy awarded to the NHL's best defenseman, tied a playoff occupation large with four factors. ... Miller, who is eligible for unrestricted cost-free agency, on his immediate potential: "I don't know. I've just acquired to take issues as they come correct now. I guess I'm totally free to go to my sister-in-law's wedding. That's about it."
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