Final, Blackhawks 3-2: The Blackhawks are Stanley Cup champions.
The Bruins couldn’t get much of anything in the final seconds, and the Hawks win it all.
Third period, 19:02, Blackhawks 3-2: Welp.
The Blackhawks just took the lead. Dave Bolland took advantage of a weird bounce on a shot from the point, and the Hawks now lead 3-2 with under a minute to play.
Third period, 18:44, 2-2: With under two minutes to play, the Blackhawks have tied the game.
Bryan Bickell scored on a gorgeous pass from Jonathan Toews, and Game 6 is tied with 1:16 to play. Tuukka Rask had no chance on that one.
Third period, 17:00, Bruins 2-1: The Bruins killed off Chris Kelly’s penalty.
Third period, 14:21, Bruins 2-1: It’s not going to be easy for the Bruins. It’s not going to be easy one bit.
The Blackhawks are headed back on the power play with 5:39 to play after Chris Kelly was called for holding.
Third period, 12:11, Bruins 2-1: Milan Lucic was denied in front in the first period, but he was not going to be denied here in the third period.
The Bruins forward got to the front of the net, and good things happened. He got a loose puck in front that he just willed home and somehow got it through Corey Crawford. Pure pandemonium here at the Garden.
Third period, 10: 08, 1-1: This game is so tight right now, but we’re starting to open up a little bit more.
Daniel Paille just had himself a pretty good chance as he came flying into the offensive zone with the puck on his forehand. He tried to slide it in with the backhand, but Corey Crawford went across the crease to make the save.
Just seconds later, Brent Seabrook got open in the slot at the other end, and he put a shot on goal that Tuukka Rask kicked aside to keep things tied.
Third period, 6:26, 1-1: Tense doesn’t even begin to describe things right now.
The Bruins came out with a strong start to third, but like they did in the first, Chicago was able to weather the storm.
The Blackhawks have three shots on goal through the first six and a half minutes of the third period, including one from Patrick Kane that Tuukka Rask had to stop and quickly smother before any damage could follow.
Third period, 1:30, 1-1: Jaromir Jagr is back on the ice for the Bruins.
He’s back on his regular line, which means the third line is back to normal as well.
Third period, 0:01, 1-1: The third period is underway. It’s truly do-or-die time for the Bruins.
Second period reaction: The Bruins are going to be in a fight for their lives here in the third period. After a tremendous start to the game, the Blackhawks have absorbed the early blow from the Bruins and are in this game in the biggest way.
If the Bruins do end up losing this game, it’s going to be due in large part to their inability to convert their chances. The Bruins have gotten the better scoring chances, and they have had four power plays as well but nothing to show for it yet. Perhaps even more concerning for the Bruins was the way they started to get a little too cute in the second half of the third period. They aren’t getting pucks to the net like they were in the first period, which is bailing Corey Crawford out.
The loss of Jaromir Jagr certainly isn’t helping the Bruins. The winger has played just 4:24 after suffering an injury in the first period. He returned to begin the second period, but that was short-lived. While Jagr’s numbers have been un-Jagr like in the playoffs, he’s still a valuable member of the Bruins’ top six who has generated chances. Without him, Claude Julien has been forced to break up his best line, the Chris Kelly line, by having to move Tyler Seguin up to the second line. Luckily for the Bruins, those three do have history together, but the B’s would obviously prefer to have Jagr out there than not.
But, at this point in the season, tied entering the third period in an elimination game, you just have to bear down. The Bruins have to find a way, any way, to convert chances. If not, we’ll see the Stanley Cup in a short while.
End second period, 1-1: The second period is over, and we have settled nothing. The game is tied 1-1, meaning Chicago is one really good period from winning the Stanley Cup.
Second period, 16:45, 1-1: The Bruins were able to kill off the penalty, but not without a scare.
Patrick Kane looked to be poised to jump on a loose puck in the Boston crease, but Zdeno Chara cleared the crease just before Kane could pounce.
Jaromir Jagr is still nowhere to be seen. That’s forced Claude Julien to move Tyler Seguin up to that line, which breaks up the third line, the B’s best in this series.
Second period, 13:57, 1-1: The Blackhawks are starting to find their legs, and the Bruins’ quick start is starting to wear off. The result? Chances for Chicago.
The Bruins are about to go on the penalty kill, too. Tyler Seguin was called for hooking.
Second period, 11:32, 1-1: The Bruins are still bringing the body, and while the forecheck isn’t as intense as it was in the first period, the Bruins aren’t shying away from the body.
Viktor Stalberg just found that out the hard way. He took a run at Zdeno Chara in the neutral zone near the penalty boxes, and the Bruins captain stepped around it and planted Stalberg.
Second period, 7:41, 1-1: Another missed opportunity for the Bruins.
The B’s were unable to convert on the power play, but they did have a great chance early on in the man-advantage. However, Milan Lucic wasn’t able to settle a puck in front with a fairly open net that would have given Boston the lead.
The B’s continue to control the game, yet it’s a tie game. If they don’t start cashing in on these chances, it’s going to come back to bite them in a big way.
Second period, 5:12, 1-1: The Bruins are going back on the power play. This time, it’s Brent Seabrook being sent off for tripping.
The Bruins need to get something going on the power play, as the unsuccessful chances are starting to add up.
Second period, 4:26, 1-1: We’ve got a tie hockey game.
Jonathan Toews was able to walk in and snap a wrist shot by Tuukka Rask just a few seconds after the Bruins’ third unsuccessful power play expired. There are a bunch of Chicago fans in attendance, and they let themselves be heard following that goal.
Second period, 4:30, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins were once again unable to score on the power play, and they’re now 0-for-3 on the evening.
Jaromir Jagr has once again returned to the dressing room.
Second period, 2:24, Bruins 1-0: Andrew Shaw has also returned, and he seems fine. He’s well enough to pick up a roughing penalty, actually.
Shaw shoved Tyler Seguin after a whistle as Seguin was skating away from the net, and that was enough to earn the roughing call.
Second period, 0:44, Bruins 1-0: The second Bruins power play comes to an end with no success, although David Krejci did hit the crossbar.
Jaromir Jagr is back on the ice for the Bruins after leaving the ice during the Bruins’ first power play.
Second period, 0:01, Bruins 1-0: The second period is underway here at the Garden, with the Bruins still on the power play for 25 seconds.
First period reaction: That was an absolute clinic in how to play desperate hockey on the part of the Bruins.
The B’s took it to the Blackhawks in the first 20 minutes and got the better of the chances and the puck battles, and they lead for the game for their efforts. However, an inability to bury those chances is the only thing you can complain about if you’re a Bruins fan. The B’s had a ton of chances — they attempted 32 shots in the period — but they could only put in one.
That goal came from another relentless effort from Tyler Seguin, who was arguably the best player on the ice. Either way, that line continues to click on all cylinders, and there were chances galore in the first, including the game’s lone goal from Chris Kelly, who took a gorgeous pass from Seguin and scored the easy goal by Corey Crawford.
End first period, Bruins 1-0: The first period comes to an end with another surge from the Bruins but nothing to show for it.
They’ll have 25 seconds of power play time when the second period begins.
First period, 18:25, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins are going on the power play again. This time, it’s Michal Rozsival being sent off for the penalty.
First period, 15:59, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins continue to fly around the ice, and the Blackhawks may be down a player for the meantime.
Andrew Shaw just took a puck to the side of the head and appeared to be bleeding as he was helped off.
However, the Bruins are also currently down a man. Jaromir Jagr quickly exited the ice just a few seconds into the Boston power play, and he eventually went down the tunnel.
First period, 12:52, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins’ power play comes and goes without any tangible success. They got some chances, though, including a beauty in the slot from Milan Lucic, which Corey Crawford stopped.
First period, 11:40, Bruins 1-0: The first power play of the night belongs to the Bruins.
Johnny Oduya was just called for hooking, and the B’s go on the power play.
First period, 10:15, Bruins 1-0: We came close to having a tie game on our hands, but Tuukka Rask was up to the task.
Michael Frolik was the beneficiary of a loose puck after an attempt to slam the puck around the boards was blocked. The carom eventually found Frolik at center ice, and he took off.
He tried to beat Rask five-hole, but the goalie quickly went to his knees, closed his pads and got his stick down for good measure. That’s by far the best chance for Chicago so far.
First period, 7:19, Bruins 1-0: The Chris Kelly line stayed on the ice after the TV timeout, and it paid off.
Kelly won the faceoff in the Chicago zone, and then he went to the wing, where Tyler Seguin eventually found him with a gorgeous backhanded pass through the slot that Kelly easily banged home.
First period, 7:12, 0-0: It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, but the Bruins look like the desperate team to begin this one.
The B’s have come out with plenty of jump from just about all four lines. Even Patrice Bergeron, who is certainly nursing his body injury some, has taken the body in a couple of his first shifts. The Bruins just got arguably their best chance of the game so far from the third line. Great puck possession and cycling — something we didn’t see much of from Boston in Game 5 — led to some chances in front as Chris Kelly jammed away at the puck in front. No dice, though.
Chicago’s top line has been strong once again in its few shifts, but the Blackhawks haven’t got much else from any other lines.
First period, 0:01, 0-0: Let’s go. Game 6 is underway, with the Bruins’ season on the line.
8:18 p.m.: Tonight’s Boston Strong banner fans were, of course, Jeff Bauman and Carlos Arredondo. It was powerful, to say the very least, with the high point coming as Bauman — who lost both legs in the Boston Marathon bombings — got up and stood. Unbelievable stuff.
8:15 p.m: Patrice Bergeron is in the lineup for Game 6. Of course he is.
8:05 p.m.: Jonathan Toews is in for the Blackhawks, according to the roster report.
7;55 p.m.: The Bruins are in the middle of their pregame warmups, and Patrice Bergeron is on the ice. Not only that, he’s in his usual spot on the Boston second line alongside Brad Marchand and Jaromir Jagr.
Carl Soderberg remains on the Boston fourth line at left wing next to Rich Peverley and Shawn Thornton.
6:55 p.m.: After a lengthy wait for the elevator (so much pity, I know), we have finally made it up to Level 9 — press level — for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final.
As you might imagine, it is an ice box up here. They are desperately trying to keep this sheet as playable as possible, but it’s likely going to be a fruitless effort. The ice is going to suck, and there’s really no way around it. The good news, though, is that both teams have to deal with it, so it shouldn’t be an issue in deciding the game.
There are a ton of Blackhawks fans already here. They have come out in droves for the chance to see their team win the Cup on Boston ice.
5 p.m.: Hey there, me again.
I just put the finishing touches on a story about Brad Marchand and the need for him to get going, starting tonight. It was meant to be my latest live blog entry, but I got a little carried away, and it turned into an entire 700-word story.
You can kill time before puck drop by reading it, which can be found with a click of this link.
4:25 p.m.: Good afternoon from TD Garden, where it is very chilly here in the media workroom on Level 3 at the Garden, which is rink level. The building will be put to a big test tonight, with the temperature outside climbing to over 90 degrees. That’s no doubt going to make for some shady ice conditions.
We already brought you Claude Julien’s thoughts on that. It’s also worth pointing out that there was some fog at morning skate. You can check that out by clicking here.
2:15 p.m.: This is the time of game day where we take a little look at the league’s pregame notes.
Teams leading a Stanley Cup Final 3-2 have won 28 of 36 series, which is good for 77.8 percent. Of those 28 victories, the winning team clinched it in Game 6, with the remaining eight winning it in Game 7. The Bruins were, of course, one of those eight teams that came back to win after being down 3-2. Interestingly, four of those eight comebacks have come since 2001. So maybe the Bruins can take some solace in that.
The other good news, of course, is the fact that the Bruins will be home. They’re 7-2 at home this postseason, but with one of those losses coming in Game 4. Home teams are also 59-26 in the playoffs this season, which is an NHL record for most wins by a home team. Home teams are also guaranteed to have a collective winning percentage of greater than .600, which would mark the first time that has happened since 1993.
1:35 p.m.: The Bruins sound like they’re going to have Patrice Bergeron back in the lineup, which is good news considering Jonathan Toews will be back for Chicago as well.
That’s according to Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville, who was pretty emphatic when describing Toews’ status for Game 6.
“He’s 100 percent ready to go,” Quenneville said after the team’s morning skate.
Toews didn’t play a shift in third period of Game 5 on Saturday night.
12:50 p.m.: Things are hot and humid in and around Boston today, so the ice surface will, once again, likely be a factor when things get underway tonight. With highs around and above 90 degrees, Julien knows his team will have to adjust.
“Well, obviously with some fans in the building tonight, it’ll get obviously warmer,” he said. “I thought the ice this morning was in pretty good shape, and they’ve done a good job. Walking in here yesterday with 90-plus degrees it was nice and cool in the arena. But those doors are going to open I would imagine, and some of the heat will come in. But those are conditions that you have to play with at this time of year. Everybody has been through it, and two teams are going through the same conditions. Both teams are going to tell you the same truth — keep the game simple and try and avoid those mistakes from overhandling pucks in those kind of ice conditions.” -JB
10:35 a.m.: For those hoping for a Patrice Bergeron sighting on the ice at morning skate, no such luck. The center did not come out with his teammates, and although coach Claude Julien said there’s a chance he could play Game 6 on Monday night, his no-show is not promising.
In other morning skate news, Zdeno Chara is still paired with Dennis Seidenberg, and Andrew Ference is with Johnny Boychuk, despite rumblings that the defensive matchups could change after the Blackhawks appeared to find their way around Chara in the past couple of games.
9:30 a.m. ET: The Stanley Cup will be in the building Monday night, and it will be the visitors who have a chance to hoist hockey’s most treasured prize.
The Bruins and Blackhawks will play Game 6 on Monday night in Boston, where Chicago will look to win its second Cup in four years. The Hawks took care of business Saturday night when they beat the Bruins 3-1 in Game 5, giving them a 3-2 series lead. They’ll now get their first chance to close out the series with Game 6 at TD Garden.
It’s not an unfamiliar position for the Bruins, though. The B’s were in the same spot in 2011 against Vancouver. After losing Game 5 on the road, the B’s returned to Boston for Game 6, and the Bruins rolled to a 5-2 win that extended the series, a series they ended up winning in seven.
The Bruins may be up against it Monday night, though. Patrice Bergeron left Game 5 and had to go to the hospital with what was later categorized by coach Claude Julien as a “body injury.” Bergeron’s status for Game 6 is unclear. If the Bruins are without the center, they could be in for a load of trouble, as he is arguably the club’s most important player.
Chicago will have an injury issue of its own to deal with, perhaps. Jonathan Toews didn’t technically leave Game 5, but he didn’t touch the ice in the third period. The Hawks sound confident he’ll play Monday night, but that would be a pretty big blow, as he’s one of Chicago’s most important players as well.
Puck drop for Game 6 at TD Garden is set for just after 8 p.m.
