ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Chicago Blackhawks will play in the Stanley Cup finals for the third time in six seasons after they defeated the Anaheim Ducks, 5-3, in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals Saturday night at Honda Center.
Game 1 of the finals will take place Wednesday at Tampa Bay against the Lightning.
As he has done countless times since being awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff most valuable player in 2010, Jonathan Toews, Chicago’s captain, led the way. Toews scored two goals, and goaltender Corey Crawford made 35 saves.
Toews opened the scoring 2 minutes 23 seconds into the game after a rush by his linemate Patrick Kane.