Facing elimination and succeeding in spite of it.
Game 5: Los Angeles vs. Chicago.
Anyone would assume that tension would be higher throughout an elimination game. With the Kings leading the series 3-1 and perhaps on their way to a second Stanley Cup Final in three years, the tension was raised to another level that we haven't seen previously.
The result of that is a first period full of craziness. Five goals were scored in the first and Chicago led 3-2 by the end of it.
It seems like most of Chicago's chances were coming off of rebounds. Like they couldn't get their initial shots past Quick, but a rebound would occur and then someone would skate in and get a tip-in with little trouble.
Brandon Saad was certainly the beneficiary of one such play. It was pretty ridiculous, actually.
Patrick Kane had four assists on the night. No goals and four assists. That's a hell of a line.
The Kings were up to the challenge, though, and played about as well as could be expected. They put up two goals in the second period and even held a lead for a little while.
The third period was an uneasy stalemate that took the game to overtime.
And when that wasn't enough, there was a second overtime. Early in double OT, Kane and Saad got the puck moving into the offensive zone; Handzus was the beneficiary this time as he took a pass and shot a nifty backhand over Quick's left shoulder.
And I thought the first period was nuts.
Los Angeles leads 3-2. Game 6 is Friday.
Later today, Game 6 in NYC. With a win, the Rangers move on to the Stanley Cup Final.
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