For the second-straight night, the NHL will see a Game 7.
Last night in Los Angeles, the defending champion Kings took down the San Jose Sharks in their Western semifinal finale in one of the most entertaining games of the season.
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With a trip to the Conference Finals on the line and a date with Los Angeles, the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings will cap off another classic series in what should be a thrilling conclusion.
When and Where to Watch Game 7
After falling behind 3-1 through four games this series, Chicago can advance in front of their home crowd when they host the Red Wings on Wednesday, May 29. The puck is set to drop at 8:00 p.m., EDT.
Coverage of the game will be provided by the NBC Sports Network, CBC television and RDS TV.
Game 6 Recap
The Blackhawks were staring elimination right in the face entering the final 20 minutes of play in Game 6. A team that had dominated the Western Conference for most of the season, Chicago was on the verge of losing to the No. 7 seed in just five games.
Luckily for Chicago fans, the Hawks' winning pedigree showed instantaneously as Michal Handzus scored 51 seconds into the third period, tying the game at 2 and providing life to a somewhat downtrodden Blackhawks squad.
Brian Bickell notched another Chicago goal five minutes later and all of a sudden, the 2010 Stanley Cup Champions had the lead and were on the verge of bringing a Game 7 back to the Windy City.
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Never shying away from what they needed to do, the Blackhawks and captain Jonathan Toews remained focused heading into the third period and never panicked even though elimination was in sight.
"It was pure confidence," Toews said to NHL.com. "Our heads were just in the right spot. We knew what we had to do and we weren't panicking. We just had to stay with it."
While Chicago has enjoyed recent success the last two games, the Detroit Red Wings certainly know they're capable of taking down the top seed in the West given the fact that they won three-straight this series after dropping the opening contest 4-1 on the road.
With loads of experience in pressure packed games throughout his career, Detroit head coach Mike Babcock knows his squad just needs to play their brand of hockey for 60 minutes in order to give themselves a chance to advance.
"I've been fortunate to win some on the road and lose some and vice versa," Babcock said to NHL reporters. "To me, I just don't worry about that. It should be a lot of fun. Let's get ourselves ready, and what I always hope for in these games is that you maximize what you've got. That's to me what it's all about. Maximize. Play your best game that you can play and we'll see what happens."
Wings star winger Henrik Zetterberg will clearly be looked upon as someone who needs to produce Wednesday night. In 13 postseason contests this year, Zetterberg has totaled 11 points on the strength of 3 goals and 8 assists.
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While Zetterberg and company will look for a quick start in Chicago, Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford will need to be at his best in order to protect home ice and advance to the Conference Finals.
Crawford is posting a 92 percent save total this postseason and although Chicago boasts strong offensive talent with Toews, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp and Marion Hossa, the Hawks need their net minder to be at his best between the pipes.
Series Wrap-Up
It doesn't get any bigger than Game 7 in the playoffs and tonight in Chicago, fans at the United Center should see a tremendous battle between two veteran squads fully capable of making a play for the 2013 Stanley Cup.
Be sure to watch the Chicago Blackhawks host the Detroit Red Wings in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Wednesday, May 29 at 8:00 p.m., EDT.
Television coverage will be provided by the NBC Sports Network, CBC Television, and RDS TV.
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS From Chicago's Game 6 Victory Over Detroit:
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