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Patrick Kane score two goals in the third period to break a tie game and give the Chicago Blackhawks a 5-2 game one win over the Minnesota Wild on Friday night, in the Western Conference semifinals.
Brian Bickell followed that up with his second goal on the night on an empty net after Minnesota pulled Ilya Bryzgalov.
But it was Kane’s goals that broke the Wild’s momentum created from back-to-back goals from Clayton Stoner and Kyle Brodziak to even the score at two.
Bickell started the scoring on the night. He took advantage of a power play early for Chicago. Minnesota’s Jonas Brodin picked up a double-minor when he cut open Marian Hossa with a high-stick.
Brodin cuts open Hossa with a high-stick. Blackhawks 4-minute PP in a 0-0 game; Brodin did same thing Game 1 vs. #avs (got away with that)
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) May 3, 2014
Hossa got his revenge though, as he extended Chicago’s lead on another power play opportunity in the second period. Nick Leddy and Brandon Saad assisted Hossa’s second goal of the playoffs.
The Wild didn’t get anything going until early in the third. Stoner was credited with a goal after a scrum in front of the net resulted in a puck getting kicked into a net by a Blackhawks defender.
Moments later, Brodziak scored his third goal of the playoffs to even the score at two.
But that lasted all of a minute and a half before Kane put the Blackhawks back on top for good.
Chicago was terrific on the power play finishing 2 of 4, while the Wild failed on all three of their opportunities. The power play goals and late play of Kane were enough for the Blackhawks to overcome being outshot 32-22.
Bryzgalov struggled in net for Minnesota, he is still winless in games at the United Center in his career.
That was 4 goals on only 21 shots on Mr. Bryzgalov. Further proof that a healthy Kuemper is a NECESSITY for the Wild in this series.
— Kevin Cusick (@theloopnow) May 3, 2014
Game two is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, in Chicago.
