NHL Playoffs, Blackhawks vs Blues Game 6: Full highlights, final score and more

The Chicago Blackhawks earned the winning goal in their dominant second period, beating the St. Louis Blues, 6-3 in Game 6 and sending their first-round playoff series to Game 7.

Chicago trailed in the series 3-1, and only extended the series due to Thursday’s nights 4-3 double OT win in St. Louis. However, the first period of Game 6 seemed to be leading the Blackhawks to the end. Although Andrew Ladd opened up the scoring, the Blues led the game 3-1 at the end of the first thanks to goals from Vladimir Tarasenko, Alex Pietrangelo and Scottie Upshall.

Fear of elimination and the end of their claim as champions spurred the Blackhawks into action, setting the rest of the game into minutes of incredible momentum. With the Blues down a man (Kyle Brodziak, for hooking), Chicago got even with St. Louis when Artem Anisimov capitalized on a rebound opportunity, scoring his third goal of the playoffs.

From there, Jonathan Toews — who has yet to score in the series — took the puck from Richard Panik and passed it to Trevor van Riemsdyk for a tying 3-3 goal 12:21 into the second. Chicago was clearly on a high, scoring the game winning goal less than four minutes later when Artemi Panarin passed the puck behind the net to Dale Weise. Now the score was 4-3, favoring the Blackhawks.

In the third period, Andrew Shaw, who was suspended for Game 5 due to using a homophobic slur in Game 4, scored his third goal of the series during a power play, and Marian Hossa scored on an empty net.

The series is now tied 3-3.

Three Stars

RW Dale Weise (BLACKHAWKS)
Though Weise had a rocky start with the Blackhawks, having been traded to the team only a few months ago in February, he proved his value to the team in Chicago’s victory by scoring the game-winning goal in period two.

RW Marian Hossa (BLACKHAWKS)
In his 200th playoff appearance, Hossa added an assist to Anisimov’s power play goal at the start of the second period and capped the third period with an empty net goal.

RW Vladimir Tarasenko (BLUES)
Tarasenko’s first period goal brings his postseason tally to 14 goals in 19 career playoff games, an NHL record.

Highlights

The Blackhawks’ brilliant comeback, from 3-1 in the series and 3-1 in Game 6 to 3-3 and 6-3 respectively, warranted Chicago’s endless taunting on social media.

Each additional goal that put Chicago on the board further and further ahead of St. Louis was reason for celebration of all varieties on the ice, the equivalent of an NFL touchdown dance.

And then there was some interesting defensive strategies being displayed by the Hawks. This move doesn’t seem to really have a name, but what it is is certainly brilliant.

Next Game

The winner of the Blues vs. Blackhawks series will be decided in the Scottrade Center on Monday at 8:30 PM ET. Game 7 will be aired on NBC Sports Network.

The winner of the Blues vs. Blackhawks series will be decided in the Scottrade Center on Monday at 8:30 PM ET. Game 7 will be aired on NBC Sports Network.