NHL Playoffs, Blackhawks vs Blues Game 7: Full highlights, final score and more

The St. Louis Blues defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2, winning a Game 7 for the first time since 1999.

Troy Brouwer scored the game-winning goal against his former team in the third period to clinch the series win for the St. Louis Blues. The reigning champions of the Stanley Cup trophy are heading home after just the first round of the playoffs. St. Louis last played in a Game 7 in 2003, when they were 4-1 losers to the Vancouver Canucks. The Blackhawks, however, won their last Game 7 in 2015 to advance to the Stanley Cup Final, where they would win yet another Stanley Cup.

With both teams tied in the best-of-seven series after Chicago fought its way back into the competition from being behind 3-1, it’s no surprise that Game 7 would be a chaotic and exciting mess.

The Blackhawks gave up the opening goal in the first minute of regulation, setting the Scottrade Arena into a wild frenzy. Against the boisterous crowd and hyped up Blues, the Hawks were unable to match their hosts, trailing behind 2-0 for a majority of the first 20 minutes of play even though they outshot the opponent 11-9. Marion Hossa finally kicked things off for the Blackhawks with a late first period goal.

The momentum for the Hawks at the end of the first period carried over into the second period, allowing them to knot Game 7 for the remainder of the second. As in every second period this series, the Hawks killed it in the first half of the period, adding a tying goal from Andrew Shaw and tumbling around in a few scrums to stir up the competition. Yet, they still failed to get that game-winning goal key to winning the series.

After two periods, Vladimir Tarasenko played 9:34, 17 shifts and has two shots/2 attempts; Patrick Kane played 15:08, 23 shifts, 3 shots, 4 attempts. Both players lead their respective teams.

The Blackhawks came into the third period strong, but it was the rebound shot scored by ex-Hawk Troy Brouwer that ultimately broke the camel of Chicago’s back. A ridiculous Brent Seabrook shot could have tied the game, but instead, the puck hit both posts before dropping inches before the goal line.

All eyes were on Game 7, and all eyes now saw the Chicago Blackhawks say goodbye to their now expected extended playoff stint. The streak of no NHL team earning two consecutive Stanley Cup wins during the salary-cap era remains.

Blackhawk(s) down.

Three stars

C Andrew Shaw (BLACKHAWKS)
Shaw’s second period goal tied the game for the Blackhawks, holding them over until the third period.

RW Troy Brouwer (BLUES)
Brouwer scored the game winning goal against his former team.

C Robby Fabbri (BLUES)
Fabbri added an assist to the game.

Highlights

The players were ready to attack at the sound of the puck dropping on the ice. Just 26 seconds into the game, Blues forward and captain David Backes slammed Chicago’s Brent Seabrook into the glass, which practically shattered:

The incident between Backes and Seabrook occurred just over 30 seconds before St. Louis would score the first goal of Game 7, courtesy of Jori Lehtera. Lehtera, who had 34 points in the regular season with nine goals and 25 assists, was assisted by Jay Bouwmeester and Jaden Schwartz.

This was Lehtera’s first  goal of the postseason. He now has four points (a goal and three assists) in seven games.

The Blues continued on this high with defenseman Colton Parayko shooting an incredible goal down the ice:

Marian Hossa got the Blackhawks on the board late in the first period in Game 7 to cut the Blues lead in half, to 2-1. The shot literally went between Blues defenseman Carl Gunnarsson’s legs. Andrew Shaw then grabbed Chicago’s final goal near the middle of the second period.

Yet, the tie was short-lived. After a wild two periods Game 7, the ex-Blackhawk snuck one passed Corey Crawford.

Look again: Crawford literally just watched the puck go in:

Brent Seabrook tried and somehow failed to even the score.

Next Game

The Blues are the team to beat in the Western Conference. They will face the Dallas Stars, the top-seeded team of the Central Division in the regular season, in the second round of the playoffs.

For more coverage of the NHL Playoffs, make sure to check out our NHL hub page.