The setting was perfect for Game 5. The Blues had an opportunity to kick the Blackhawks out of the playoffs – an opportunity which doesn’t present itself often. The game was played in front of nearly 20,000 loud, screaming fans in the Scottrade Center. Andrew Shaw was suspended. Things appeared to be lined up for the Blues to finally exorcise some demons and boot Chicago out of this year’s tournament for the Cup.
But…
Things didn’t go as fans hoped as the Blues missed out on a glorious opportunity to end things.
There was the shorthanded goal. There was the complete breakdown at the end of the second to allow the Blackhawks to score at the buzzer. There was the failed opportunity to capitalize on the power play late in the third when Chicago forgot how to count. There was the first overtime period which presented countless chances.
And just like that Patrick Kane did what Patrick Kane does and forced Game 6.
Disappointing is a word Blues fans are more than accustomed to using, but this is a new level. It’s more of the same as the Blues had a chance to stomp out an opponent and they failed to end it. That’s been the case all season long. How often have the Blues let an opponent hang around and hang around and then the club has to turn things on late to save face? Usually it comes back to bite them.
The comeback to force overtime by the Blues was impressive, but it came after a second period which was inexcusable in the playoffs. Then, to have that many offensive chances in OT and to walk away a loser is just pure Blues hockey.
Now, odds seem to favor the Blackhawks. They return home with a huge double overtime win at their back. Andrew Shaw returns. Kane finally broke out of his slump. Jonathan Toews is threatening. Corey Crawford is making the big save when he is called on. The Blackhawks only improve the longer a series goes which is why the Game 5 loss is so damaging.
My belief was that the winner of Game 5 would take the series. Let’s hope the Blues prove me wrong.
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