The Anaheim Ducks came away with a much-needed win in Game 5 against the Chicago Blackhawks to take a 3-2 series lead.
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NHL Playoffs 2015: Anaheim Ducks open Western Conference Finals with 4-1 win over Chicago Blackhawks
NHL Playoffs 2015: New York Rangers defeat Tampa Bay Lightning, 2-1, in Eastern Conference Finals opener
They appeared to have the game wrapped up in the first period as they took a 3-0 lead.
Defenseman Cam Fowler, center Ryan Kesler and defenseman Sami Vatanen respectively scored the first three goals of the game.
The Blackhawks continued to show their playoff experience though as they scored two goals in the second period. Seabrook’s goal came with 25 seconds left.
Left wing Teuvo Teravainen and defenseman Brent Seabrook scored the goals for the Blackhawks.
In the third period, the Ducks took a 4-2 lead after left wing Patrick Maroon scored with just over five minutes remaining.
Once again, the Blackhawks refused to lose though as center Jonathan Toews scored two goals to force overtime.
After Toews scored with 1:50 left, he scored again as 38 seconds remained in regulation.
The Ducks had every reason to be nervous about overtime as they have already lost both of their Western Conference Finals games in double and triple overtime.
However, they turned the tables on the Blackhawks, who entered this game with a 4-0 overtime record in the 2015 NHL playoffs.
Ducks left wing Matt Beleskey scored the game-winning goal just 45 seconds into the overtime period.
Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford’s early struggles came back to haunt him, and he let Beleskey’s goal speed past him.
Crawford finished with 23 saves but allowed five goals for an 82.1 save percentage.
Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen was not in top form, as he allowed four goals, including two in the last two minutes of regulation. He finished with 24 saves for an 85.7 save percentage.
The Ducks will have an opportunity to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals in Game 6, but they will have to do so in Chicago.
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