The Chicago Blackhawks dominated the NHL's Western Conference all year long, compiling a 36-7-5 record while amassing a league-best 77 points. Tuesday night, they began their quest for the Stanley Cup by knocking off the talented No. 8 seed Minnesota Wild in overtime.
The Wild jumped in front of the favored Blackhawks in the first period when Cal Clutterbuck scored off a Clayton Stoner assist.
Eleven seconds into the second period, Zach Parise was called for goaltender interference. Marian Hossa took advantage of the opportunity and scored a power play goal with five seconds to go before Minnesota was back to full strength. Minnesota and Chicago each pitched shutouts in the third period.
The tight play continued into the overtime period until Bryan Bickel struck pay dirt at the 16:35 mark for the game-winning goal assisted by Viktor Stalberg and Johnny Oduya.
After the game, Bickell said, "We just needed to stay patient. We were getting our opportunities. Not odd-man rushes like they were, but we got the one, and to capitalize on it is huge. With our speed, through the whole season a lot of teams were trying to shut us down and let us get frustrated."
In the second overtime game, the defending Stanley Cup champs were taken down by the second-seeded St. Louis Blues. Alexander Steen of the Blues drew first blood in the first period, scoring a power play goal at the 9:05 mark that was assisted by Kevin Shattenkirk. The score remained tied into the third period until Justin Williams of the Kings finally broke through and snuck one past Blues goalie Brian Elliot.
In overtime, Steen scored again, this time while the Blues were shorthanded due to a four-minute high-sticking double minor. For the game, St. Louis outshot the Kings 42-29, and Steen's second goal helped the Blues avoid a bad home loss to begin the postseason.
When asked about his second, game-winning goal, Steen said, "I had fresh legs and I figured I'd try him. I just got fortunate behind the net."
NHL Playoffs First Round Schedule:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
No. 1 Pittsburgh Penguins
vs. No. 8 New York Islanders
May 1: at Pittsburgh, 7:30, NBC Sports Network
May 3: at Pittsburgh, 7, NBC Sports Network
May 5: at N.Y. Islanders, noon, NBC
May 7: at N.Y. Islanders, 7, NBC Sports Network
x-May 9: at Pittsburgh, 7
x-May 11: at N.Y. Islanders, TBD
x-May 12: at Pittsburgh, TBD
No. 2 Montreal Canadiens
vs. No. 7 Ottawa Senators
May 2: at Montreal, 7, CNBC
May 3: at Montreal, 7, CNBC
May 5: at Ottawa, 7, NBC Sports Network
May 7: at Ottawa, 7, CNBC
x-May 9: at Montreal, 7
x-May 11: at Ottawa, TBD
x-May 12: at Montreal, TBD
No. 3 Washington Capitals
vs. No. 6 New York Rangers
May 2: at Washington, 7:30, NBC Sports Network
May 4: at Washington, 12:30, NBC
May 6: at N.Y. Rangers, 7:30, NBC Sports Network
May 8: at N.Y. Rangers, 7:30, NBC Sports Network
x-May 10: at Washington, 7:30
x-May 12: at N.Y. Rangers, TBD
x-May 13: at Washington, TBD
No. 4 Boston Bruins
vs. No. 5 Toronto Maple Leafs
May 1: at Boston, 7, CNBC
May 4: at Boston, 7, CNBC
May 6: at Toronto, 7, NHL Network
May 8: at Toronto, 7, NHL Network
x-May 10: at Boston, 7
x-May 12: at Toronto, TBD
x-May 13: at Boston, TBD
WESTERN CONFERENCE
No. 1 Chicago Blackhawks
vs. No. 8 Minnesota Wild
April 30: at Chicago, 8, NBC Sports Network
May 3: at Chicago, 9:30, NBC Sports Network
May 5: at Minnesota, 3, NBC
May 7: at Minnesota , 9:30, NBC Sports Network
x-May 9: at Chicago, TBD
x-May 11: at Minnesota, TBD
MORE: Series preview
No. 2 Anaheim Ducks
vs. No. 7 Detroit Red Wings
April 30: at Anaheim, 10:30, NBC Sports Network
May 2: at Anaheim, 10, NBC Sports Network
May 4: at Detroit, 7:30. NBC Sports Network
May 6: at Detroit, 8, CNBC
x-May 8: at Anaheim, 10
x-May 10: at Detroit, TBD
x-May 12: at Anaheim, TBD
MORE: Series preview
No. 3 Vancouver Canucks
vs. No. 6 San Jose Sharks
May 1: at Vancouver, 10:30, NBC Sports Network
May 3: at Vancouver, 10, CNBC
May 5: at San Jose, 10, NBC Sports Network
May 7: at San Jose, 10, CNBC
x-May 9: at Vancouver, 10
x-May 11: at San Jose, TBD
x-May 13: at Vancouver, TBD
MORE: Series preview
No. 4 St. Louis Blues
vs. No. 5 Los Angeles Kings
April 30: at St. Louis, 8, CNBC
May 2: at St. Louis, 9:30, CNBC
May 4: at Los Angeles, 10, NBC Sports Network
May 6: at Los Angeles, 10, NBC Sports Network
x-May 8: at St. Louis, TBD
x-May 10: at Los Angeles, TBD
x-May 13: at St. Louis, TBD
MORE: Series preview
x-if necessary. All times p.m.
*Schedule courtesy of USA Today.
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